Medium-sized leafless birches of the genus Betula retain the defining traits of the group while presenting a more compact branching framework. The trunk remains narrow and upright, branching into a crown of fine, ascending limbs that subdivide into delicate twigs. Without leaves, the internal organization of the canopy becomes clear, showing evenly spaced branch junctions and a relatively uniform crown outline.

Betula species occupy a wide ecological range across Eurasia and North America, thriving in cool temperate forests, moist lowlands, and transitional woodland edges. The genus is well adapted to environments with seasonal temperature extremes, using flexible wood and fine branching to withstand snow and wind loads. Medium leafless birches highlight the genus’s characteristic balance between structural efficiency and lightness, revealing a tree form optimized for rapid spring growth and effective light capture once foliage returns.