Also called ◼︎ black birch
(although do not confuse with sister-species
cherry or sweet birch Betula lenta,
which is also sometimes called that), and ♒︎ water birch.
Part of
birch genus Betula
in
alder / birch / hazel / hornbeam family Betulaceae
in
bayberry / beech / birch / oak / walnut order Fagales.
Native to 🇺🇸 USA central, Southeast and East.
🗺 Map by county (🇺🇸 USA-48),
🗺 map (North America, Central America). 
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Despite its nickname,
the aircraft Spruce Goose
was built primarily of birch wood, with small amounts of maple, poplar, balsa, and, yes, spruce.
Betula hosts caterpillars of 413 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
Planting info (SW Michigan).