Fagus grandifolia American beech

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The beech is one of the earlier species of trees to change color in this area. It is a large and common tree, one of the basic canopy trees of the deciduous forests of the northeastern United States. The leaves are elliptical, pointed and sharply toothed. The lateral veins tend to be straight. It looks somewhat like an elm leaf but is thinner and smoother. The fall color of this species is quite variable and ranges from greenish yellow to red-orange. The tree may retain many of its leaves into the winter and these will fade to a yellow tan color. The phenomenon of retaining leaves is called marcesecence. The bark of this tree is a distinctive gray color. The fruit is a small triangular nut.

Contributed by: Mark Welchley

Habitat & Range

Common in moist woods. Prefers well-drained moist soils and is shade tolerant.

Present throughout the state.

Range: From Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to Florida nd eastern Texas, west to Wisconsic and Missouri.

Wetland codes

EMP:	FACU
NCNE:	FACU

Phenology

Flowers late April to early May; before or with the leaves.

Characteristics

Tree medium to large; single thick short trunk branching close to the ground; crown broad, round & spreading

Flowers yellowish-green, monoecious

Staminate catkins globe-shaped, drooping, on long stalks

Pistillate flowers in short few-flowered spikes

Leaves alternate, simple,elliptical, margins sharp-toothed; long pointed tip; parallel lateral veins ending in a sharp shallow tooth; thin in texture; leathery dark green above, yellow green below; 2 to 5″ long

Bark smooth, ligth gray to blue-gray

Twigs slender, pubescent when young and smooth at maturity; dark yellow to gray; with almost circular stipule scars

Buds long, slender, sharp pointed; covered with reddish-brown scales; terminal bud present

Fruit small, triangular, pale brown nut; nuts are usually paired, the pair enclosed within a spiny, stalked, 4-valved bur

Height avg. height 60 to 82 feet, can grow up 100

Fall Color yellow to golden bronze to brown

Age 150-200 yrs

Special Characters

Leaves tend to stay on the tree over the winter

Plant Codes

S-rank: S5 (Secure)
G-rank: G5 (Secure)

Faunal Associations

Beechnuts are consumed by many animals such as squirrels, deer, grouse, turkeys, bears and racoons.

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