Betula alleghaniensis
yellow birch
 
Betula alleghaniensis, yellow birch, is a tree with a bit of a personality. It’s got smooth, silvery bark that peels in curly strips, almost like it's shedding an old coat to show off a shiny new one.
 
This native North American beauty loves cool, moist environments and can grow to a towering 60+ feet, though its branches often droop gracefully, as if it's giving the landscape a gentle hug. Its heart-shaped leaves turn a brilliant yellow in autumn, adding a pop of sunshine to the woods.
 
Wildlife can't resist the yellow birch either—squirrels nibble its seeds, while birds like woodpeckers and chickadees drill into its bark for insects. Deer, too, love to munch on the twigs and young shoots. If you're lucky enough to wander by, you might even catch the scent of wintergreen from its leaves, bark, and twigs—yes, this tree smells like the candy you’ve been craving!
 
photo by Keith Kanoti