• found mostly in Northern United States and Canada

• tree or shrub
  
• broken twigs may have a strong wintergreen odor

• double-toothed
  
• egg-shaped or triangular
  
• edges are mostly even at base
  
• leafstalks do not have glands

• caterpillar-like catkins that become lengthened clusters of small dry fruit
  
• male catkins are present in winter
• fruit is produced from catkins

• numerous cross-streaks
  
• some species have papery bark that peels off in thin sheets

• 2-3 scales
  
• 3 bundle scars

Wood and bark can be distilled to give birch tar used to make leather waterproofing. The wood of the birch is ideal for building a lean-to. Eating untensils can be carved from the non-resinous wood because you do not get a wood resin aftertaste or taint the food. The tough, flexible character of the wood makes it ideal for constructing snowshoes. A section of green twig from this tree can be used as an old-fashioned toothbrush. The curly, peely bark of the birch is ideal for tinder to start fires in dry weather. A piece of this dried hardwood can be used to make the drill and handle of a bow drill. This dense hardwood burns slowly and evenly making it ideal for slow cooking. The sap from the tree can be used as a shampoo, and the oil derived from the bark produces an effective insect repellent.