|The cultivar, 'Franz Fontaine' is generally smaller than many cultivars, reaching perhaps to thirty-five feet and half that in width. The shape is fastigiate and grow toward a central leader.
C. betulus is cultivated for its upright or pyramidal habit, ornamental foliage, great fall color, and pendant, leafy-bracted racemes of fruit. Gray bark is fluted and smooth. Leaves are mid-green, ovate, unequally toothed and 3 to 5 inches long. This tree is attractive in a park or woodland setting.