Betula papyrifera, also known as the paper birch, or canoe birch, is a beautiful, Ontario-native tree known for its striking white bark. It thrives in acidic, moist, well-drained soils and full sun. While resilient, it can be susceptible to pests and diseases like bronze birch borer, aphids, and leaf miners, though Renaissance cultivars offer slightly greater resistance to the borer. Paper birch prefers cooler, dry conditions and may struggle in warmer, humid environments or urban areas with high pollution. With proper care, it adds elegance to many landscapes as a specimen tree. White birch should not be a first choice for planting in urban conditions unless space is provided to plant several.