Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) has the most dense wood of any native tree in Newfoundland. Hence, it makes an excellent firewood when dry. Yellow birch will grow well on a wide range of sites, including wet sites with standing water. They prefer northerly facing sites. The yellow birch tree produces wintergreen (methyl salicylate), which is used as a fragrance. The scent of wintergreen can be detected by placing a freshly cut twig near the nose.