Fagus grandifolia
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database
|
American Beech are fairly large trees, usually up to 80 feet tall. Trunks can grow up to 2 1/2 feet wide. American Beech grow in forests with other trees, such as oaks, pines, and hickories. They can also grow in a pure stand (group of the same type of tree). |
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database |
Copyright, Mark Brand, UConn Plant Database |
American Beech leaves grow up to five inches long. they are ovate (shaped like an oval) with a pointed tip. Leaves have short stalks and saw-toothed edges. They are a dull dark green on top and light green on the bottom. American Beech leaves turn yellow-brown in the Fall. |
Hugh Wilson Donald R. Farrar, Trees and Shrubs of the Campus of Iowa State University American Beech flowers
are clustered
together in a one inch yellow ball. The fruits are about 3/4
inch long and prickly. These fruits split into four pieces
in the Fall. The bark
of this tree is light gray and smooth. It stays smooth when
it gets older. The fruit, called
Beechnuts, are an important food source for many animals,
including: Red Fox, Raccoon, Virginia Opossum, squirrels,
Eastern Chipmunk, Beaver, White-tailed Deer, Eastern
Cottontail, mice, Wild Turkey, Bluejay, Northern Bobwhite,
woodpeckers, ducks, and others. American Beech provide
cover
for many animals, and are a favorite nesting site of
chickadees. This tree can
tolerate
shade, and is often found growing under the trees listed
above, as well as maples and Yellow Poplar. Donald R. Farrar, Trees and Shrubs of the Campus of Iowa State University Copyright, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Parasitic
fungi probably bother American Beech more than any other
tree. Mossy Maze Polypore, Artist's Conk, Tinder Polypore,
Flecked-Flesh Polypore, Bearded Tooth, Northern Tooth, and
Honey Mushrooms are just a few which are parasites of this
tree. Insect pests
of this tree include Gypsy Moths, Tent Caterpillar Moths,
aphids, and scale insects. This tree spreads by
animals, such as squirrels and Bluejays, eating the fruit
before pooping out the seeds in a new location. American Beech can live
for well over 300 years. Relationships in
Nature: Animals
Using as Food Source Animals
Using as Shelter Associations
With Other Plants Relationship to
Humans: American Beech is
often planted as a shade tree or landscape tree on lawns and in
parks. Its nuts are edible for humans. Wood of this tree is used for
flooring, furniture, plywood, railroad ties, and firewood.
