Betula populifolia (Gray Birch, Poverty Birch, Poplar Birch)

Betula populifolia, commonly known as Gray Birch, Poverty Birch, or Poplar Birch, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that typically grows 20-40 feet tall with a narrow cone-shaped habit and upright branching. It is known for its distinctive chalky white to gray bark that peels off in papery strips. The leaves are small and triangular with serrated edges, turning yellow in the fall. It produces small catkins in spring, which give way to tiny winged seeds. Gray Birch is a hardy tree, able to withstand poor soil conditions and harsh climates.