The paper birch (Betula papyrifera), commonly known as the white birch or canoe birch in Quebec, is a species of birch whose bark peels off easily in strips. It grows in North America and Europe.
It is a major component of the mixed forests of the northern United States (central and eastern regions) as well as Canada (central and eastern regions, within the boreal forest). It is a transitional species during forest regeneration, as it requires plenty of light to thrive. It rarely lives to be a hundred years old, weakening and quickly succumbing to disease or rot as soon as the forest canopy closes in around it.
Its bark was widely used by Native Americans to make bark canoes, kitchen utensils, and to cover their shelters, etc. (It is white.)
It is currently used in the production of certain types of paper pulp; it also makes fairly good firewood.
Its seeds are enjoyed by many birds, including the downy woodpecker, the white-breasted nuthatch, and the black-capped chickadee
