The leaves of Betula papyrifera are simple, alternate and doubly-toothed. It is somewhat similar to B. cordifolia and B. pendula in the white, papery, and often peeling bark, which easily distinguishes this group from all our other trees (see the key to distinguish these Betula species). Bark on branches and small trunks is not white, but rather a reddish brown with strong light-colored horizontal lenticels. Books usually refer to B. payrifera as paper birch, but in Wisconsin it is frequently called white birch.

The main range of Betula papyrifera is northern, extending north nearly to Hudsons Bay in the east and to Alaska in the west. It ranges into the United States only though the northernmost tier of states for the most part, and in New England. It grows in a wide variety of habitats throughout Wisconsin and at least a few trees can be expected just about anywhere trees are successfully growing, from boggy sites with Tamarack to dry uplands with Jack Pine. It sprouts from stumps that have been cut or burned and multiple-stemmed growth forms are common. It doesn't tolerate deep shade and has difficulty reproducing on soils covered with a thick layer of dead leaves. Flowering begins in late April or early May. The winged seeds are dispersed by the wind and can sometimes be seen blowing along the surface of the snow in winter.