Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark peeling, Minnesota

George Sanker / Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) on a Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) branch, near hanging Beard Lichen (Usnea trichodea). Acadia National Park, Maine, USA.

Lynn M. Stone / Paper birch tree (Betula papyrifera) trunk covered in Birch polypore bracket fungi (Piptoporus betulinus) October. Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont, USA

George Sanker / North American beaver (Castor canadensis) eating a fallen Paper Birch tree (Betula papyrifera). Acadia National Park, Maine, USA.

George Sanker / North American beaver (Castor canadensis) eating a fallen Paper Birch tree (Betula papyrifera). Acadia National Park, Maine, USA.

George Sanker / Wood duck (Aix sponsa) drake in breeding plumage against Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) Acadia National Park, Maine, USA June

Ernie Janes / Paper / Canoe Birch (Betula papyifera) shedding bark, USA

Rob Cousins / Paper birch (Betula papyrifera), close up of bark, Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, UK, October

Doug Wechsler / Paper birch stand (Betula papyrifera). Nova Scotia, Canada. August

Neil Lucas / Cameraman Keith Brust filming with Red Camera, in Birch woodland (Betula papyrifera) for BBC Life series, Minnesota, USA, March 2008

Neil Lucas / Birch tree woodland (Betula papyrifera) in winter, with recent snow fall, Minnesota, USA, March 2008

Neil Lucas / Sigurd Olsen's cabin in birch woodland (Betula papyrifera) in snow, Burntside Lake, Minnesota, USA, March 2008

Neil Lucas / American white / Paper birch trees (Betula papyrifera) woodland in snow, Northern Minnesota, USA March 2008

Philippe Clement / Paper / American white / Canoe birch (Betula papyrifera) leaf in autumn colour, native to northern North America

Philippe Clement / Paper / American white / Canoe birch (Betula papyrifera) leaf in autumn colour, native to northern North America

Philippe Clement / Paper / American white / Canoe birch (Betula papyrifera) leaves in autumn colours showing colour change, native to northern North America

Jerry Monkman / Paper birch trees {Betula papyrifera} on the Jessup Path, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

Thomas Lazar / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) forest, Twelve mile beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA

Doug Wechsler / Close up of bark of Paper birch tree {Betula papyrifera} USA

Philippe Clement / Close up of trunk of Paper / White birch tree {Betula papyrifera} Denali NP, Alaska, USA.

Philippe Clement / Close up of trunk of Paper / White birch tree {Betula papyrifera} Denali NP, Alaska, USA.

Philippe Clement / Bark of Paper birch tree {Betula papyrifera} with Hooded lichen {Physcia adscendens} Denali NP, Alaska, USA.

Georgette Douwma / Paper birch catkins {Betula papyrifera} from USA, Kew Gardens, London

Larry Michael / Close-up of bark of Paper Birch {Betula papyrifera} USA

Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trees reflected in water, Hooker Lake, North Dakota

Jeff Foott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) log and leaves in autumn, Acadia National Park, Maine

Jeff Foott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trees in autumn, Acadia National Park, Maine

Jeff Foott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trees in autumn, Acadia National Park, Maine

Scott Leslie / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) and river, Cape Breton Highland National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark peeling, Listening Point, Ely, Minnesota

Matthias Breiter / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) catkins, Lost Coast near Dry Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) leaves just opening up during early spring rain, Superior National Forest, northern Minnesota

Scott Leslie / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) and Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) saplings, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada

Scott Leslie / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark peeling, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) forest, Minnesota

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark, Minnesota

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) forest with autumn colors, Minnesota

Jim Brandenburg / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) peeling bark in forest, White Mountains National Park, New Hampshire

Scott Leslie / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) forest and path in autumn, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Steve Gettle / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trees in autumn, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trunk with peeled bark, Snowfall Lake, Ontarion, Canada

Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) trunk with peeling bark, Prelate Lake, Ontario, Canada

Jeff Foott / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark, Acadia National Park, Maine

Jeff Foott / Birch Bracket (Piptoporus betulinus) mushroom on Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) log, Acadia National Park, Maine

Benjamin Olson / Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) bark, Minnesota