This is one of the most striking trees in North America, extending to the Arctic Circle, because of the contrast in colour between its white bark and the dark bark of surrounding trees.
Sometimes it can be confused with the Gray Birch as the latter also has white bark. However two features makes the distinction fairly straight forward.
The leaves of the Gray Birch are triangular in outline with the stalk or petiole in the middle of the flat base line. The White Birch leaves, 1 to 4 inches long, are shaped with the base line of the leaf blade gently curving away on each side of the petiole.
Rub your hand over the white bark of the trunk. If it is a Gray Birch your hand will come away clean. If it is a White Birch the palm of your hand will be covered with a white powdery substance that coats the bark and adds a final touch to its beauty.
The bark of this species peels horizontally in strips and discloses a red-brown inner bark. Outer and inner bark were used by Indians in making of canoes.
