Wood: Although too scarce in Iowa to be of any commercial importance, it is a valuable hardwood in the northeastern US and southern Canada. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, shock-resistant, close-grained and takes a fine polish. It is used for cabinets, furniture, flooring, doors, veneer, paneling and tool handles. The papery bark burns easily even when wet. The young twigs and inner bark are a source of wintergreen oil, but the yield is less than that of the sweet birch (B. lenta).
Wildlife: This species is of only moderate value to wildlife. Rodents and small birds eat the tiny seeds.
Horticulture: The yellow birch is not used very much in landscaping as the white-barked birches are often deemed more attractive. It is less adaptable than many other birches and is not recommended for use in Iowa with its hot, dry summers.
