In New Zealand, the trees calledbirches are really beeches (q.v.), but the term birch isused very vaguely; see quotation 1889. In Tasmania, the name isapplied to Dodonaea ericifolia, Don., N.O.Sapindaceae.
1853. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand,' p. 125:
«White-birch of Nelson and Otago (from colour of bark),Black-heart Birch of Wellington, Fagus solandri, Hook, alofty, beautiful ever-green tree, 100 feet high. Black-birch(Tawhai) of Auckland and Otago (from colour of bark), Red-birchof Wellington and Nelson (from colour of timber), Fagusfusca, N.O. Cupuliferae, a noble tree 60 to 90 feet high.»
1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 91:
«Like all small-leaved forest trees it [ Fagus solandri,Hook. f.] is termed `birch' by the bushman. . . . It is nottoo much to say that the blundering use of common names inconnection with the New Zealand beeches, when the timber hasbeen employed in bridges and constructive works, has causedwaste and loss to the value of many thousands of pounds.»