Gray birch is a common species of birch tree native to the northeastern region of North America. It is also known by several other names, including silver birch, white birch, or paper birch due to its silvery-white bark. Other synonyms for gray birch include Betula populifolia, which derives from its resemblance to the leaves of a poplar tree, and the North American white-barked birch. Gray birch is a small to medium-sized tree, typically growing to around 20 to 50 feet tall. It is known for its distinctive bark, which peels away in large paper-like sheets, revealing a smooth white bark underneath.