Fagus grandifolia
American beech
Fagaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
40-80 (100) ft tall by to 40 ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
brown
Phenology:
deciduous
Noted For:
Fall Color, Interesting Foliage, Interesting Bark
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Shade tree. It is known for its smooth light gray bark. Its leaves turn yellow and then light brown remaining on the tree until nearly spring and providing interest to the winter landscape. If you are privileged to have this tree in the landscape, retain and protect it.
Considerations:
This is a large tree that will produce dense shade and many root suckers. Take this into consideration when deciding where to plant it. Slow growing.
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Clay, Loam
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B
Ecology
Wildlife:
Birds, Mammals
Larval host for walnut sphinx ( Amorpha juglandis ).
Fruits (a nut in a bur) are valued by wildlife.
Tree valued for nesting by some songbirds.
Native Habitats:
Upland, mesic to dry mesic hardwood forests.
