Click on the images help you identify a yellow birch.
Form
Large trees can reach heights of 60 to 70 feet and trunk diameter can reach 24 to 36 inches. In the open, trunks are usually short and divide into numerous large ascending limbs that form a broad open crown. Under forest conditions, trunks are tall and clear of limbs.
Bark
Bark is yellow-gray or straw color and peels freely into thin papery layers that produce a ragged appearance on the main stem and lower branches. Twigs are light brown, lustrous, and have a slight wintergreen smell.
Leaf
Leaves are simple and alternate on stem, usually between 3 to 5inches long. Shape is oval to oblong. Edges are deeply and finely toothed. Color is dull dark green on upper surface and paler beneath. Leaves are much larger than paper birch and turn bright yellow in autumn.
Fruit (seed)
Chestnut-brown winged nutlets contained in a cone-shaped catkin about 1 inch long.
Range
Common in the northern half of the state on better soils where cool, moist conditions prevail. Moderately shade tolerant, moderately fast growing.
Wood uses
Wood is heavy, strong, hard, close-grained, and light brown. Wood polishes well and is used for flooring, interior finish, veneers, wooden ware, furniture, and small wooden novelties. Excellent for firewood. Oil of wintergreen may be obtained from the bark.