American dwarf birch is a multi-stemmed shrub typically growing to 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) tall, often forming dense thickets.

It is distinguished from typical B. nana by the presence of glandular warts on the shoots and longer leaf petioles.

In the Arctic, it occurs down to sea level, while in the south of the range, it grows as high as 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) altitude.

[2] Many species of wildlife rely on this shrub as a food source, particularly ungulates such as moose, deer, caribou and elk.

[2] American dwarf birch provides cover for ptarmigans, and grizzly bears use it consistently to construct their dens.