Fagus Grandifolia, American Beech Tree Identificaton Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Fagus grandifolia, American Beech. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and deciduous tree slideshow for pictures.

Plant Botanical Name: Fagus Grandifolia

Common Name: American Beech

Family Name: Fagaceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Eastern North America

Plant Height at Maturity: 65-80 feet tall and 50-100 feet wide

Plant Habit and Form: Deciduous trees upright and tall in forests, assuming a wide-spreading habit in open areas. Tree branches freely with branches often touching the ground. Trees have slow to moderate growth rate and medium texture. Winter buds light brown, distinctly narrow, long, and pointed.

Foliage: Serrated, simple leaves arranged alternately on the twigs. Leaves are glossy on top with light green undersides. Leaves turn yellow-brown in fall and cling to young trees into the winter.

Bark: Gray and smooth on young growth, remaining smooth and light gray on old growth and trunks.

Flower: Monoecious flowers bloom late April or early May, are inconspicuous.

Fruit/Seed: Fruit a triangular, brown nut, with two enclosed in a spiky involucre. Fruit matures in the fall.

Growing Requirements: Beech is hardy to zone 4. Grows in acidic moist soils with good drainage. Grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

Problems and Drawbacks: Deep shade prevents anything from growing under the tree. Roots can be above the soil and will sucker freely. Trees are intolerant of wet soil and sometimes are bothered by canker, aphids, beech bark disease, and powdery mildew.

Special Uses: Beech provides ornamental interest with bark, along with autumn bronze leaves and overall texture and structure. Beech are used as a lawn tree, in naturalized areas, and to fill large spaces. Mulch can be used beneath trees in place of a lawn.

ID Tips/Remarks: Grows slowly in forest understory where persistent fall foliage remains well into winter.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants, http://www.plants.usda.gov, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree.