American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

American Beech! Fagus grandifolia is a magnificent deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Here's some information about the American Beech:

1. Appearance: The American Beech is a large tree that can reach heights of 50-70 feet (15-21 meters) or more. It has a broad, spreading canopy with smooth, gray bark. The leaves are oval-shaped, dark green, and have a wavy margin. In the fall, they turn a beautiful golden bronze color.

2. Habitat: American Beech trees are commonly found in forests, particularly in moist, well-drained soils. They are shade-tolerant and often grow alongside other tree species.

3. Wildlife Value: The American Beech provides valuable habitat and food for various wildlife. Its nuts, known as beechnuts, are an important food source for birds, squirrels, and other small mammals. The tree's dense foliage also offers shelter for wildlife.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  No serious pests or diseases, though Beech scale is an occasional problem.  Cannot tolerate wet soils.  Difficulty to  transplant, and may struggle in urban settings.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings,  Borders,  Woodland Gardens,  Naturalized Areas,  Shade Tree, and  Privacy Screen. 

COMPANION PLANTS:  Sugar Maple, Lady Fern, Woodland Phlox

IMAGES:  Marqqq,  Beech with Branches, CC BY-SA 3.0, (2)  Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA,  American Beech (48192941177), CC BY 2.0, (3)  Whit Andrews,  Fagus grandifolia fall foliage Wachusett Meadow,  CC BY 2.0

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.