Sometimes called Canoe Birch, these medium-sized, fast-growing trees develop best on well-drained, sandy loams on cool moist sites. Paper birch is short-lived and rarely lives more than 140 years. Commercially, the lumber is used for veneer, pulpwood, and many specialty items. The handsome foliage and showy white bark make the trees attractive for landscaping. They are important browse plants for animals, and the seeds, buds, and bark are also eaten by wildlife.
Photo credit: Chief River Nursery Company