Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)
Michael's Opinion
A highlight of the mature climax forest. This smooth grey barked tree can retain its leaves late into autumn. It is not urban tolerant and prefers well drained, light soils. It is a popular and valuable lumber tree.
Botanical Information
| Family | Fagaceae |
| Genus | Fagus |
| Species | grandifolia |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (deciduous) |
| Origin | New Brunswick to Ontario, south to Florida and Texas. Introduced into cultivation in 1800. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Beechnut is edible. Very valuable lumber species. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 3 - 9 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 3a - 8a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -10 - (-20) |
| Temperature (°F) | 14 - (-4) |
| Height | 15 - 25 m |
| Spread | 12 - 25 m |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | April, May |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Dense, upright-oval and rounded-spreading. |
| Landscape | Ornamental use in large spaces or parks as a shade tree. |
| Propagation | Seed. |
| Cultivation | Full sun and partial-shade. Moist and rich well-drained soils. Deer and black walnut tolerant. |
| Pests | Beech scale can be a problem. |
| Notable Specimens | The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Ravines, slopes and valleys. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Low-branched tree with its mature trunk ranging from 30 - 60 cm in diameter. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The apex is sharp pointed, imbricate, slender, 2 - 2.5 cm long, shiny and brown. |
| Leaf Description | Ovate to elliptic leaves that are 12 cm long and have widely-spaced marginal teeth and prominent parallel veins, each ending at the tip of the tooth. |
| Flower Description | Monoecious, flowers that bloom in April-May. Male flowers are drooping, long-stemmed and found in globular clusters. The female flowers are in short spikes. |
| Fruit Description | Triangular and enclosed by spiny bracts. Beechnuts ripen in autumn. |
| Colour Description | The bark is a grey colour. The leaves are dark green. The foliage turns golden bronze in autumn. |
| Texture Description | The bark is thin and smooth. |
Photographs
Scorias spongiosa in early spring on a branch of F. grandifolia.