The leaves of Betula pendula are simple, alternate and doubly-toothed. The bark is white and papery and similar to that of B. papyrifera and B. cordifolia, but not likely to be confused with any other species growing outside of cultivation in Wisconsin. See the key for characters to separate these three species of birches.

Betula pendula is primarily a cultivated species in Wisconsin, and rarely escapes near plantings. Among the commonly planted cultivars are plants with conspicuously lobed leaves, sometimes referred to as "cut-leaved weeping birch".