Small shrub. Prostrate. Can be planted as a groundcover in beds or masses with other low-growing plants. Makes a good plant for use in a rock (limerock) garden.

While naturally a wetland plant, this species does well across a broad array of cultural conditions. Specimen tree.

Noted for its shaggy, peeling salmon-colored bark. The natural form is a single-trunked tree, but multi-trunked cultivars are common. Southernmost birch in the US. Specimen plant located where the salmon-colored shaggy bark can be seen. Use for shoreline erosion control. Has been used for mine reclamation due to its tolerance of acidic soils.

This tree is subject to Dutch elm disease which is not know to occur in Florida as of 2018 (IFAS, 2018). Medium shade tree for informal settings. Somewhat coarse in texture.

Wildflower garden.