It is considered the most widely adapted of all the birches, and hardy throughout South Carolina. The birch is a large deciduous tree, growing 90 feet in height and spreading 30 to 50 feet.
Birches situated in moist areas are long-lived.
One of the most appealing features of the birch is the bark, which, on larger, young branches and stems, is reddish to pinkish brown and peels off in papery strips. The bark of a mature birch is ridged and deepens to dark brown. This tree is handsome without leaves because of its graceful silhouette and exfoliating bark. In the fall, the foliage turns pale yellow. The graceful elegance of the birch allows it to be used as a specimen or for naturalizing, and is best used in large areas.