Native to the Himalayas, Betula utilis var. jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch), which is prized for its brilliant and exceptionally white bark, is a lovely addition to the landscape. While young trees have a rich brown bark, it quickly changes to gleaming snow-white as the tree matures. Vigorous and fast-growing, this medium-sized deciduous tree has an open pyramidal habit with graceful and delicate branching. It bears alternately arranged, ovate, dark green leaves, which turn bright yellow in fall before they shed for the winter. In spring, tiny yellowish-brown male flowers appear in drooping catkins, while greenish female flowers appear in upright catkins. The female flowers give way to drooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small, winged seeds.

A very rewarding tree that is not only good-looking but also provides interest all year long. Not surprisingly, this is one of the most popular birch trees.