white birch

White Birch Betula papyrifera
Family: Betulaceae (Birch)
Branching: Alternate
Other names: Paper Birch

One of the first trees most people learn to identify. Its white, peeling bark is unlike any other. When young, its can look alot like some other young trees, such as Ironwood and the Cherries. Look for the raised resin glands on the twigs. It doesn't take long for the bark to start to peel on a young tree.

White Birch twig

Closeup of the end bud

Another view of the end bud

Young bark

Bark starting to split

Older bark with its distinctive splitting