It prefers well-drained acid soils and partial shade. It is not especially stress tolerant and is prone to various pests and diseases. These trees grow rapidly to 20-30 feet. They prefer full sun and moist soil. Prune in summer or fall.
Birches are susceptible to the bronze birch borer and the birch leaf miner.
Most only live around 20 years. Botanically this is a very primitive tree that does not produce flowers and is a type of gymnosperm. The male and female trees are separate and the female trees form a foul smelling fruit. These trees need sun. They are narrow for their first 20 years, then they grow fuller.