Young black birches and red maples are changed about Walden

October 1.

The young black birches about Walden, next the south shore, are now commonly clear pale yellow, very distinct at distance, like bright-yellow white birches, so slender amid the dense growth of oaks and evergreens on the steep shores. 

  

The black birches and red maples are the conspicuous trees changed about the pond.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, October 1, 1854

The young black birches about Walden, next the south shore, are now commonly clear pale yellow, very distinct at distance. See October 3, 1858 ("About the pond I see maples of all their tints, and black birches (on the southwest side) clear pale yellow")