Wood: The wood is often knotty, reducing the value of this tree for commercial timber. The wood is light brown, hard, lightweight, close-grained and strong (but weaker than yellow birch). It is used occasionally for inexpensive furniture, woodenware and tool handles. It was once used for ox-yokes and wooden shoes.
Wildlife: Only of limited use to wildlife, the river birch produces abundant, tiny seeds which are eaten by turkeys, grouse, small birds and rodents. White-tail deer browse the young twigs and buds.
Horticulture: This species is valuable for sites which are wet for part of the year but dry in summer and fall. It transplants easily and is used for planting on estates, parks, campuses and other large areas, and for erosion control along stream banks. Multiple-trunked specimens are especially attractive for landscaping purposes. 'Heritage' is a vigorous cultivar with attractive bark coloration, is less prone to leaf spot, and is cold hardy to minus 40 degrees F.
