General Information
American Beech is a handsome deciduous tree found at low elevations in the North and higher elevations in the South. Its range extends across eastern North America from New Brunswick to Florida.
The wood of the American Beech is used to make flooring, furniture, railroad ties and plywood. It makes excellent firewood due to its high density and good burning qualities. It’s a popular food source of various mammals and bird species including black bear, deer, chipmunks, ducks, ruffed grouse and blue jays.
Plant Habit and Form
American Beech is a sturdy, medium to large tree growing 50 to 70 feet, sometimes exceeding 100 feet. It has a wide spreading, rounded crown with low hanging branches that can touch the ground. The leaves are 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 2 1/2 inches wide with small, incurved, marginal teeth.
Growing Requirements
American Beech prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil but will not withstand wet soils. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade conditions. It grows slowly underneath an understory of conifers or hardwoods but grows faster in canopy openings and will eventually ascend into the overstory.
Flowering and Fruiting
American Beech is monoecious, flowering in April and May. The male flowers are yellowish green and droop in long stemmed clusters while the female flowers appear on short spikes. The female flowers evolve into triangular edible nuts enclosed by spiny bracts maturing in fall.
Pests and Diseases
American Beech has a few minor pest problems that include leaf spots, beech bark disease, aphids and beech scale.
ID Tips
Toothed leaf margins, smooth gray wrinkled bark, short trunk with wide spreading crown.
