Beech, American (Q)
At a Glance
Latin: Fagus grandifolia
Zones: 4-9
Mature Height: 60-100 ft.
Soil / Climate: Likes moist soils. Very shade tolerant. Beech grows on a wide range of soil types, acid or basic. Difficult species to establish. Early spring planting recommended.
Notes: Beech trees are unisexual with male and female flowers growing on a single tree. Trees are hardy and long lived but have had recent problems with disease. Bark is light gray and smooth. Elliptical leaves with clousely toothed margins and parallel veins. Fall colors are yellow to orange and bronze. The bitter, edible nuts are called beechnuts or beech-mast and contain a high tannin content. Beech wood makes a good firewood that will easily split and burn for hours. Beech is also used to smoke some cheeses and in part of the process in beer making. The timber can be used to build houses and log cabins and plywood. The tar was used to help with psoriasis and eczema. In past times, Beech was used to write upon and form the first books. The Beech tree is known as “The Tree of Learning.”
Wildlife: Nuts are a favorite food of the black duck, wood duck, turkey, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, and a variety of woodpeckers. Also, raccoons, red/gray foxes, white tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, opossums, pheasant, black bear, porcupines and man.
Purchase Size: 6-12 inches.
USDA NRCS Species Information