In Minnesota, aspens, willows, grasses, birches, alders, sumacs, and strawberries are consumed when green. Farther north, tulip trees are gradually replaced by maples and birches. The original, thick deciduous forest mainly consists of oaks, elms, birches and willows. It grows with willows and birches along waterways and in forests dominated by spruces. In moist areas, there are short grasses, mosses, willows, and birches. It prefers conifers but will occupy birches and beeches. The forest in Kainuu mostly consists of birches, pines and spruces. Oaks are often accompanied by chestnut trees and birches. In Yukon, they normally eat fast-growing birches and willows, and avoid spruce. Mainly pines, firs and birches can be found here. Like most birches, yellow birch wood rots quickly due to its tendency to trap moisture. White-barked birches in particular are cultivated as ornamental trees, largely for their appearance in winter. Three varieties are recognised and it hybridises with the silver and dwarf birches. Hybrids with several other birches occur. However, the wounds caused by tapping birches consistently lead to dark staining in the wood.