Betula alba, commonly known as birch, is a deciduous tree belonging to the Betulaceae family. This tree has a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and is found especially in cold and temperate regions. The leaves of the birch are triangular or oval, double-toothed on the margins and glabrous on the underside. The leaves are conspicuous for their bright green colour and turn yellow in autumn. The bark of the tree is white and smooth, in young trees it can be peeled off like paper. In older trees the bark becomes darker and cracked. Birch flowers are panicle-shaped and bloom with the leaves in early spring. Male flowers are yellowish brown and female flowers are greenish. The small, winged nut-shaped fruits are easily dispersed by the wind and spread the seeds. Birch prefers moist and well-drained soils. It grows best in sunny or semi-shady areas and is a fast growing tree.