The Virginia roundleaf birch was originally discovered in 1918 and not seen again until 1975 when a population of 40 trees was found. The only naturally occurring population of this tree is in Smyth County, Virginia along the floodplain of Cressy Creek in an open secondary forest. Several test populations have been established for research and recovery purposes. All introduced populations are on U.S. Forest Service lands within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. This deciduous, single-trunked tree reaches a height of approximately 50 feet. The bark is dark brownish-black and has a wintergreen aroma when bruised.