Tree chips are used for pulp and paper manufacture, reconstituted uses, and fuel. Paper birch is an important moose browse throughout most of its range. Numerous birds and small mammals eat paper birch buds, catkins and seeds. Paper birch is a palatable moose browse. Paper birch is a poor-quality winter moose browse.
Paper birch is useful for long-term revegetation and soil stabilization of severely disturbed sites.
It is occasionally transplanted as wildlings. The sap is made into syrup, wine, beer, and medicinal tonics. The bronze birch borer is the most serious insect pest of paper birch.