Betula papyrifera
Paper Birch
The “paper” of the Paper Birch refers to the way the bark peels away from the trunk in sheets. It is also known as a canoe birch for its use among eastern Indigenous peoples in canoe building. The peeling bark is used by birds such as the Philadelphia Vireo and the Red-shouldered Hawk for nest building. Local ruffed grouse feed on the seeds and buds of this tree. The Paper Birch is closely related to the Yellow Birch but distinguishing the two can sometimes be difficult as both tree’s bark exhibits peeling. Generally though, Paper Birch bark is bright white and the underside is pinkish whereas the Yellow Birch’s bark is more of a yellow-bronze color and peels in thinner strips. Like the Sugar Maple, the Paper Birch can be tapped in the early spring to produce a sweet syrup.