| General Description | A common tree, grown for its clear white bark. It is now somewhat problematic in the Ontario landscape due to drought, birch borer and birch minor, still however a good tree. |
| ID Characteristic | Characteristic clear white bark, obovate, finely toothed leaves. |
| Shape | Rounded. |
| Landscape | As an accent or specimen plant. |
| Cultivation | Easy to grow where summer moisture is sufficient. Short lived (50 years). |
| Pests | There has been some discussion of this species resistence to bronze birch borer. However, I am still reserving judgement on this since more observation in required. Plant expecting to relish with care even into maturity. |
| Notable Specimens | Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
| Habitat | Mountain slopes and lowlands of China. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Orange to yellow brown exfoliating bark that is often glaucous underneath. |
| Leaf Description | Dark yellow-green in summer changing to yellow in the autumn. Alternate, ovate to ovate-oblong 5-7.5 cm long, doubly serrate, dark green above, light green and glandular below. |
| Colour Description | Good autumn colour in most years, pale yellow. |
| Texture Description | A medium textured tree. |
