Betula is a genus that consists of 60 species. They are cultivated for their striking ornamental peeling bark and stunning autumn foliage. Birches are much loved for bonsai because of their elegant beauty.

Betula papyrifera, commonly known as Paper Birch, also known as White Birch and Canoe Birch is a species of birch native to northern North America. It is the provincial tree of Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 60 feet tall (18m), and exceptionally to 130 feet (40m) with a trunk up to 32 inches diameter (0.8m). They live to about 140 years. The bark is white, commonly brightly so, flaking in fine horizontal strips, and often with small black marks and scars. In individuals younger than five years, the bark appears brown with white lenticels, making the tree much harder to distinguish from other trees. The leaves are alternate, ovate, 1-5 in. long and 2-4 in. broad, with a doubly serrate margin. The leaf buds are conical and small. They are green-coloured with brown edges. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins 1.5 in. long growing from the tips of twigs.