Crafty Uses For Fallen Bark

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Along with fallen leaves, you may also see sheets of bark.
Some trees have 'exfoliating bark;' that means it naturally peels away, giving the trunk an interesting look that livens up winter landscapes.

Such peeling bark was used as paper very long ago — Thomas Jefferson once wrote his daughter a letter on the bark of a 'paper birch,' Betula papyrifera, to show her the ancient technique.

Around here you can find plenty of 'river birch' trees, Betula nigra, which also have pretty, peeling bark that you can collect for crafts or to decorate your Thanksgiving table without spending a penny.

Careful! Never pull the bark off of any tree - you can injure it! Just pick up bark that's already fallen on the ground.

Scrub it quickly and gently with mild soap to get rid of any dirt or bugs, then dry it flat, (put it between sheets of paper towel weighted with a book or a plate) unless you want to curl it around a vase or cover a can.

Use larger sheets of bark to write a menu, as placemats, or as part of a centerpiece.

Smaller scraps make perfect place cards. Write the name of each guest on a piece of birch bark for a simple, and thrifty, way to give thanks for Nature's gifts as you welcome friends and family to the table.