A medium-sized, transcontinental, intolerant pioneer, and the most widely distributed native Betula. Leaves are 2-4" long, ovate-oval, and coarsely, doubly serrate. Twigs are slender, with lenticels. Buds are ovoid and resinous. Fruits are cylindrical, pendant, and deciduous. Bark is red-brown at first, then separates into papery strips.