The most common Birch trees in our area:

 

 

Paperbark Birch:

• Deciduous tree, 40-50(70+) ft [12-15(21) m], loosely pyramidal to rounded, several years before lateral branches show chalky-white paper-like bark, peels easily.  Leaves simple, alternate, 2-5 in long, rounded or sometimes wedge shaped, glabrous above and pubescent on veins below, coarsely and usually doubly serrate, dull green in summer, yellow in fall.
• Sun.  Adapted to a variety of soils, does best in well-drained, acid, moist, sandy or silty loams.  Probably best adapted to cold climates.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 2    Large native range from Labrador to British Columbia, Washington (and into the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon), south to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nebraska, Montana.