American Beech Tree
Fagus grandifolia
Other Common Names:Â Beech, Beechnut Tree, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, White Beech
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-9b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Deciduous Tree
Height at Maturity:Â 50-80′
Width at Maturity:Â 40-70′
Spacing:Â 20-30′ for screens; 80 feet for space between trees
Spacing:Â 20-30′ for screens; 80 feet for space between trees
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright, Broad, Rounded
Growth Rate:Â Moderate
Flower Color: Â Green and White
Flowering Period:Â Spring
Flower Type:Â Single, in Drooping Clusters
Fragrant Flowers:Â No
Foliage Color:Â Â Rich Green
Fall Foliage Color:Â Yellow, Orange and Bronze shades
Fall Foliage Color:Â Yellow, Orange and Bronze shades
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Bark Color:Â Light Gray
Fruit/Nuts:Â Yes, edible
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun, Dappled Shade, Part Shade
Water Needs:Â Â Average, lower when established
Soil Type:Â Â Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Drainage:Â Moist But Well-Drained
Soil pH:Â 5.0 – 7.0
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Beneficial Pollinators, Birds
Resistances:Â Birch Borers, Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Moderate Drought
DescriptionÂ
An easy-to-grow stately and beautiful North America native that over time can reach heights of up to 80 feet tall with a broad rounded crown, the American Beech is the perfect shade tree for use where space is available. Its ovate-oblong coarsely serrated leaves up to 5 inches long provide unique and outstanding texture in the landscape. During the warm season the leaves are dark green and glossy above and lighter green below turning to attractive shades of yellow, orange and bronze in fall. It has has an oval crown when young that eventually develops into a more broad, rounded crown with age. Spring flowers are followed by fuzzy fruits that eventually dry to spill out tasty edible nuts you can enjoy raw or toasted and that many wildlife species will thank you for. A highly attractive and long-lived tree that anyone anywhere can grow, and one that will be around for your great, great, great grandchildren to enjoy. USDA Zones 3a to 9b.
Wildlife Assets
The nuts are eaten by small mammals, white-tailed deer, black bears, foxes, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, ducks, woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, American crows and blue jays.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 50 to 80 feet tall and 40 to 70 feet wide, the American Beech is ideal for use as a shade tree around homes and in landscape borders. When planted on the west side of the home cooling costs will be reduced. A fine addition to wildlife gardens, bird gardens and native gardens.
Suggested Spacing:Â 20 to 30 feet apart for screen plantings; 80 feet apart for space between trees
Growing Preferences
American Beech is easy to grow in most any moist but well drained soil and full sun to mostly shade. In full to mostly sun the canopy and foliage will be much more dense. If planted in the woods it will assume a more open habit. No pruning required though lower limbs can be removed to a desired height.
Note:Â Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.Â
Plant Long & Prosper!
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