Organic Forest Plants & More

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Trees and Shrubs

Zones

: 4 - 9

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Tree

Mature Size: Height: 95 ft. Height at 20 years: 30 ft. Diameter: 2 - 3 ft.

Flowers: late-April - early-May

Fruit: Summer - Fall

Common alternate names for american beech: NA

Scientific name for american beech:  Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.

Planting Information:

Prefers moist soil. Soils of loamy texture and those with a high humus content are more favorable than lighter soils.

Beech seedlings develop better under a moderate canopy or in protected small openings than they do on larger open areas where the surface soil may dry out below the depth of the shallow roots.

Beech continues growing all winter in a greenhouse when daylight is supplemented by continuous artificial light.

Prefers full sunlight.

Colors: Leaves: deciduous, bright yellow in fall (often turn a tannish color and remain on the tree until spring). Flowers: yellow. Fruit: brown. Bark: smooth, light-colored. Trunk: light-steel-gray (usually blotched).

Edible - food uses of american beech:

The seeds of american beech species are sometimes gathered from native trees, or from trees planted for other purposes, and used as food. The seeds are formed in prickly burrs, about 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter, which remain closed until ripe, then partially open. The angular seeds or nuts are up to 0.75 inch long. The seed coat must be removed from the kernel before eating. In general, beech nuts are similar to small chestnuts. The trees are not cultivated for the purpose of nut production.

Healing medicinal qualities of american beech:

Creosote made from beech wood is used internally and externally as a medicine for various human and animal disorders. (It is important to note that coal tar creosote, the kind used to protect wood from rots, is highly toxic to humans.)

Other uses for american beech:

Ornamental: Beech is highly regarded as an ornamental tree because of the beautiful mottled bark and generally pleasing shape.

Timber: American beech is used for lumber, veneer, ties, pulpwood, slack cooperage, and fuel. The lumber is remanufactured into boxes , crates, baskets, furniture, handles, flooring, millwork, novelties, and food containters. Beech is especially good for containers since it does not impart taste or color to the contents. In furniture, it is used in cheap, unfinished pieces, bent stock, and chair backs and rungs. It is also especially favored for fuelwood because of its high density and good burning qualities.

Wildlife:

The nuts are an excellent food for many wild birds and animals, but good seed crops occur erratically.

Beech mast is palatable to a large variety of birds and mammals, including mice, squirrels, chipmunks, black bear, deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, ducks, and bluejays.

General description and characteristics of american beech:

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is the only species of this genus in North America. Although beech is now confined to the eastern United States (except for the Mexican population) it once extended as far west as California and probably flourished over most of North America before the glacial period (39). This slow-growing, common, deciduous tree reaches its greatest size in the alluvial soils of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys and may attain ages of 300 to 400 years.

The wood of American beech is strong, heavy, shock resistant, and readily bent when steamed. It wears well and remains smooth under friction. It has good nail-holding capacity but has a tendency to split when nailed. It yields short-fibered pulp that is good for paper manufacture when it is mixed with other, longer-fibered pulps. The wood is very difficult to work with tools, and is difficult to kiln-dry (losses to checking  and case-hardening may run 30%). Beech is readily distinguishable from other native species by its weight (heavier tan most hardwoods), conspicuous rays, and tiny pores.