Birch

| image = Betula pendula 001.jpg | image_caption = Betula pendula (Silver birch) | taxon = Betula | authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Subgenera | subdivision = * ''Betulenta'' * ''Betulaster'' * ''Neurobetula'' * ''Betula'' * ''Chamaebetula'' | range_map = Areal bereza.png | range_map_caption = Range of ''Betula'' | synonyms_ref = | synonyms = *''Betulaster'' Spach * ''Apterocaryon'' Opiz * ''Chamaebetula'' Opiz }}

A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus ''Betula'' (), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. The genus ''Betula'' contains 30 to 60 known taxa of which 11 are on the IUCN 2011 Red List of Threatened Species. They are typically short-lived pioneer species and are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in northern areas of temperate climates and in boreal climates. Birch wood is used for a wide range of purposes. Provided by Wikipedia