Betula alleghaniensis (Yellow birch)

Betula alleghaniensis, also known as yellow birch, is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 85 feet tall with a straight trunk that typically measures 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Its most distinguishing feature is its golden-yellow bark that peels in thin, curly strips, revealing a shiny bronze-colored inner bark. The tree's leaves are alternate, simple, and ovate with serrated margins, and they can grow up to 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. In the fall, the leaves turn a bright yellow color before dropping. Betula alleghaniensis produces both male and female flowers in the form of catkins that appear in the spring. The tree's fruit is a small, winged nutlet that matures in the late summer or early fall.

Betula alleghaniensis is commonly found in moist, cool forests, particularly in the eastern United States and Canada. It prefers well-drained, acidic soils and is often found growing alongside other tree species such as sugar maple, beech, and red oak.

The wood of Betula alleghaniensis is hard and strong, and it has been used for a variety of purposes, including furniture, veneer, flooring, and tool handles. The bark of the tree has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, rheumatism, and skin conditions. The tree also provides important food and shelter for a variety of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects.