Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)

Native to eastern North America, the American beech, Fagus grandifolia is a large, deciduous tree that features of a short trunk with a dense, wide-spreading crown, and attractive, glossy green foliage; leaves are ovate and heavily toothed, and turn a golden russet color in the fall, when they will occasionally cling to trees through the winter. In the spring, American beech produced inconspicuous yellow-green flowers, and female flowers give way to spiny, triangular nuts, which provide fall and winter forage to a number of ground birds and other wildlife.

Especially ornamental in the winter landscape, Fagus grandifolia stands out with thin, smooth, silver-gray bark covering the trunk and branches, which contrast well against marcescent russet leaves. Due to their mature size of 60-80' tall and 40-80' wide, American beech is perhaps best used as a shade or large specimen tree in parks or larger home landscapes, though its ecological value also makes it a great pick for forest rehabilitation projects. Typically found in upland areas or dry lowland forests, Fagus grandifolia is grows best in medium, well-drained soils in full sun to partial or filtered shade, but is intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils, and does not transplant well once established. Once established, American beech is tolerant of black walnut soils, salt presence, and deer damage and individual trees may live over 300 years, providing ecological appeal for generations to come.