Identifying the "Bengay-Scented" Tree in Massachusetts

Likely Candidates

Based on bark that peels like birch and inner wood smelling like wintergreen (methyl salicylate), the tree is likely sweet birch (Betula lenta) or yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Both release strong wintergreen odor when crushed. True "Bengay" scent matches this compound.

Why Not California Laurel

California laurel (Umbellularia californica) has the same scent but is not hardy in Massachusetts. Sweet birch is native, common in state forests, and has peelable bark on younger trunks.

Confirmation Steps

• Crush a leaf: sweet birch smells wintergreen; yellow birch is fainter.
• Check twig taste: sweet birch twigs taste like wintergreen.
• Contact Mass DCR Forestry (mass.parks@state.ma.us) for site-specific ID.