White or Paper Birch was used by the North American Natives for the making of their canoes. The leaves are oval to ovate, 2 to 3 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches wide, with a rounded base, pointed tip and doubly toothed margins. On branches or on the trunks of young trees, the bark is white, peeling into long, narrow, horizontal strips that are curled at the ends. The bark at the base of older trees is black and fissured. White Birch grows to 80 feet tall and 2 feet in diameter, with a central trunk and an irregular, pyramidal to rounded crown. Areas destroyed by fire are quickly reseeded by White Birch, which is found in several varities throughout northern North America.

Texas A & M UniversityVascular Plant Image Gallery.

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