Species of fast growing, short-lived, ornamental, shade, and timber tree native to northern and central North America, typically around 18 meters (60 feet) in height, with a brown bark that whitens over time and peels into paper-thin layers marked by narrow horizontal pores or lenticels. On the copper-colored inner bark, the pores are bright orange. Short, pendulous branches and numerous flexible twigs create a lacy silhouette in winter. The close-grained, almost white wood is used for turned articles, flooring, furniture, woodenware, pulp, and fuel. North American Indians used the thin, water-impervious bark for roofing, canoes, and writing material (thus the name "paper birch"). It is a pioneer species after fire. The sap is boiled down to produce birch syrup. The tree is known in several varieties.
