The seed crops germinate readily. Gray birch sprouts from the stump when cut or following fire. Gray birch is found on a wide variety of sites. It grows best on moist, well-drained soil along streams, ponds, lakes, and swamps but also grows on dry sandy or gravelly soil. Obligate Initial Community Species.
Gray birch is a pioneer species.
It is an early seral species in oldfield succession or following clearcutting in northern hardwood forests. Fire, which can help establish gray birch, can also be quite damaging. Gray birch's abundant wind-dispersed seed is important in colonizing burns. Also, gray birch is likely to accumulate abundant seed in the soil. Seedling establishment following fire is probable from such seed banks.