A native medium-to-tall tree which is loosely pyramidal when young, developing an irregular oval crown when mature. This tree is noted for its white bark, which exfoliates in papery strips to reveal an orange-brown inner bark. Mature trees develop black markings on the white bark. Single trunk trees will grow taller with an oval rounded crown. Multi-trunked trees will be shorter with a more irregular crown. Drought stress followed by bronze birch borer attack often causes decline. The largest tree in North Dakota is 61 feet tall with a canopy spread of 40 feet.