These leaves are dark green during the spring and summer and turn into an impressive golden bronze color in autumn. The scientific name for the european beech the most common beech is fagus sylvatica. The species is often one of the major deciduous forest plants. Beech grows faster in canopy openings and eventually ascends into the overstory 1,8. Beech bark disease is a fungal infection that attacks the american beech through damage caused by scale insects. The american hornbeam grows in moist to wet soils and commonly occurs in swamps, along streams, and in wet bottomlands. The fruit is a small, sharplyangled nut, borne in pairs in a softspined, fourlobed husk. Even in dense forest, the american beech is easily distinguished from other trees by its distinctive traits such as gray bark and elliptical leaves. The leaves are oblong to oval and are about 10 cm 3.
This has important affects on the cycling of nutrients in the forest. Beech tree leaves are oval shaped and come to a point at the end, and they have a lightly serrated edge. Learn about beech characteristics, uses, and species. Beech bark disease occurs when the feeding site of woolly beech scale is invaded by a fungus. American beech fagus grandifolia is the only species of this genus in north america.
Control the disease by controlling the scale with a horticultural oil. American beech fagus grandifolia illinois wildflowers. The leaves are dull green above and lighter green below and turn yellow or. As the name suggests, the european beech is native to europe. It is mostly used for white oak lumber and railroad ties. How to identify common north american trees by leaf. A mature american beech tree is known to grow up to 90100 ft tall. Sooty mold makes a black coating on leaves and stems.
The american beech is a common tree found in the forests and woods of eastern part of. The tree is naturally lowbranched with attractive glossy green leaves providing deep, inviting shade. American beech is a mediumsized deciduous tree that reaches heights of 60 to 80 feet. As mentioned above, the american beech tree is the only species of beech tree native to the u. Each tree has at some time been called by the common name of the other. The leaf litter breaks down slowly due to a high level of lignin. When planted in urban landscapes, the american beech tree can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet. Little grows in the dense shade of a beech tree but if low branches are left on the tree no ground cover or grass is needed. Unlike most other hardwood trees, the american beech retains this smooth bark throughout its mature years. Erect or spreading and requires ample growing space. Its exceptionally smooth, light gray bark makes the american beech stand out in any forest. American beech s graceful, spreading form is superior to other beeches and is attractive throughout the year.
Also distinctive are the long, slender, pale chestnutbrown buds, readily visible during the winter. The bark of an american beech tree is one of its most distinctive characteristics. The true beauty of this tree is revealed during fall. The chestnut oak is marketed as a white oak, thus, it shares the aforementioned white oak characteristics except number 4 closed heartwood pores. We can usually find them in mounts and mountains, as they require a huge amount of light and water. Provided by usda nrcs wetland science institute wsi. The smooth gray bark of this grand tree is familiar to many. Also, because of similarities in the bark, the name beech blue beech or water beech has been misapplied to this tree. Characteristics and distinguishing features of the american beech tree.
American beech is a distinctive and elegant forest tree in kentucky and throughout eastern north america. Powdery mildew causes a white coating on the leaves and is not usually harmful. But unlike the birch, beeches have smooth bark that often has a skinlike appearance and they tend to grow considerably taller than birches, with thicker trunks and branches. Although the american beech tree is known to attain a height of approximately 100 ft, in home landscapes, it has been seen that the species rarely exceed a height of 50 ft. Symbolism and characteristics of this decidious tree. This stately tree has a short trunk and a broadspreading, rounded crown when growing in the open, but a long, branchfree trunk when in the forest. Crown symptoms include leaves of smaller size and lighter green color than normal. In the fall, the leaves turn bronze but weather to a light tan color. The leaf is wider and shorter than the american chestnut tree leaves. The tree prefers deep, fertile, welldrained but moist soils. Its male flowers form in drooping, longstemmed, globular clusters and the female flowers in short spikes. American beech, a top 100 common tree in north america. Look for the parallel venation in the leaves without having doubly serrate margin like the birchesit has small notched serrations instead. The fungus kills the bark and in the process, the insects.
The leaves are dark green and leathery as in the european beech. The formal and stately american beech holds a special place in many hearts. Lets look at some other interesting characteristics about beech trees. Sow fresh seed immediately or stratify seed for spring planting. American beech is a climax species that grows slowly underneath an overstory of conifers or hardwoods.
Fagus grandifolia is a deciduous tree growing to 10 m 32ft by 10 m 32ft at a slow rate. The american beech is easily recognized even in dense, complex forests by its thin, smooth, light gray bark. Once leaves are heavily infected the opportunity for chemical control is lost. Over 80% of the leaves that are sent to us each year for identification are either from chinese chestnuts or chinese american hybrids, because these trees are resistant to the chestnut blight.
Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 which eliminates all of the european varieties include the american beech. Beech, genus of about 10 species of deciduous trees in the family fagaceae native to temperate and subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere. It is widely planted as a shade tree in northeastern and pacific states. The slightly shorter, eggshaped, dark green leaves of the european beech turn redbrown in autumn and, in mild climates, persist through the winter. The beech trees exacting requirements for growth made it an indicator of good farm land and as colonists began clearing land, the beech disappeared. Female flowers give way to triangular nuts enclosed by spiny bracts. This page is designed to help you distinguish among several species of the chestnut family castanea commonly seen in north america. American beech fagus grandifolia beech family fagaceae description.
Beech leaves are typically oblong or oval and medium to dark, glossy green. It is silver or gray in color, tight around the tree, and smooth to the touch. In open areas, the trunk is typically short and stout, while the crown is large. Leaf, alternate, simple, parallel veins each ending in a small tooth. It grows more easily under cultivation than the american beech, and has become a very popular ornamental tree in the united states. American beech is a large, graceful native tree, excellent for large, parklike landscapes where it has room to spread its wide, lowgrowing branches. If your tree has leaves like this, it is probably a horsechestnut tree. The european beech fagus sylvatica is the most commonly cultivated, although few important differences are seen between species aside from detail elements such as leaf shape. Leaves oval, glossy dark green, bronze or no change, deciduous. Noteworthy characteristics fagus grandifolia, commonly called american beech, is native to eastern north america. In its natural woodland habitat, trees can reach as high as 120 feet. Monoecious yellowish green flowers bloom from march to may on the american beech. In open areas, the trunk is typically short and stout, while the. Beech wood is known as the mother of the forest because other hardwoods in mixed, broad leaved forests would to struggle to survive without it.
Winter, however, emphasizes this trees other notable attributes its long, thin, pointed, brown leaf buds and its smooth, thin, light gray, wrinkled bark that resembles an elephants hide. They are from two and a half to six inches long and two and a half inches wide, elliptical in shape with many parallel side veins and coarse, sawtoothed edges. It is in flower from april to may, and the seeds ripen from october to november. Before the glacial period, beech trees flourished over most of north america. American beech is native to eastern north america and is a large deciduous tree typically growing to 6080 tall or more with a dense, uprightoval to a roundedspreading crown. Newly formed leaves are brightly green and covered with hairs. The leaf margin is serrated and the leaf arrangement is alternate. Leaves typically hang on well into the winter months adding to the seasonal interest. Beech trees are monoecious, producing both male and female flowers on one tree. Fagus grandifolia american beech beech family fagaceae. Identifying american chestnut trees the american chestnut. These species can often become food for animals higher.
Also included are three nonchestnut species that are often confused with chestnut. The narrow, coarsely sawtoothed, heavily veined, bluegreen leaves of the american beech are about cm 5 inches long and turn yellow in autumn. The species is monoecious individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant and is pollinated by wind. North american birch tree identification thoughtco. Plant database lady bird johnson wildflower center. Tree identification the american chestnut foundation. Early american colonists even used the leaves to stuff mattresses. American beech is a sturdy, imposing tree, 5080 ft. The saddled is its most serious defoliator, and the forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth, fall cankerworm ruce spanworm operophtera bruceata occasionally cause heavy damage. In early spring new leaves emerge from buds as feathery tassels. Avoid feeding with high nitrogen fertilizers as it seems to worsen the condition of infected trees.
The leaves of beech trees are entire or sparsely toothed, from 5 to 15 centimeters 2 to 6 inches long and 4 to 10 centimeters 1. Unlike most other hardwood trees, the american beech retains this. Older leaves lack hairs and they are dark green in color. Fagus grandifolia beech leaves close b y dcrjsr is licensed under cc bysa 3. It is a large deciduous tree typically growing to 5080 less frequently to 120 tall with a dense, uprightoval to roundedspreading crown. Leaves the leaves of the american beech are also quite distinctive. Fagus grandifolia, the american beech or north american beech, is the species of beech tree native to the eastern united states and extreme southeast canada the genus name fagus is latin for beech, and the specific epithet grandifolia comes from grandis large and folium leaf. American beech the wood database lumber identification. The beech tree belongs to the family fagaceae, with species native to europe, asia and north america. Alternate, simple, elliptical to oblongovate, 2 12 to 5 12 inches long, pinnatelyveined, 1114 pairs of veins, with each vein ending in a sharp distinct tooth, shiny green above, very waxy and smooth, slightly paler below. The american beech tree is the only member of the genus fagus found in north america. The confusion with beech trees stems from the fact the beech also has lightcolored bark and serrated leaves. If your tree lookes like this, then it is probably a beech tree. American beech is a large, graceful native tree, excellent for large, parklike landscapes where it.
The species that is widely found in north america is known as american beech or fagus grandifolia. Leaves often fall during summer and litter the ground with yellow, spotted leaves. Fagus grandifolia, the american beech or north american beech, is the species of beech tree. It holds on to its toothed, goldenbrown leaves very late into the winter. American beech is native to eastern north america and is a large deciduous tree. Beech suckers readily, so a mother tree may be surrounded by dozens of its identical offspring saplings. The trunk is considered short with a broad crown which can spread to a width of 50 feet. American beech is the only member of the genus fagus native to north america. Fagus grandifolia, commonly called american beech, is native to eastern north america. The lush green foliage of the tree takes on a brilliant bronze hue, before fading. This disease is caused by an insect called the beech scale cryptococcus fagisuga. The american beech is notable for its smooth, gray bark. Lady bird johnson wildflower center focused on protecting and preserving north americas native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection millennium seed bank msb project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife.
Beech with branches b y marqqq is licensed under cc bysa 3. Fagus grandifolia american beech, beech north carolina. One of the main features of the beech is its tall and slender trunk and the greyish bark. Handsome foliage develops a golden bronze color in the fall. Boone kilt a bar on it, meaning daniel boone killed a bear. All produce fall color except for dombeys southern beech, which is an evergreen.
One of the distinct parts of the tree are its leaves, which grow with strong veins and toothed edges. Like oak, beech often holds on to its bottom leaves throughout winter. This tree features a smooth, gray bark and nuts with a high oil content that are a good source of food for many species of wildlife, including bears, squirrels, wild turkeys and grouse. In addition, the heartwood of the chestnut oak tree is more resistant to decay than any of the other white oaks. Fagus grandifolia american beech beech family fagaceae page 2 huge forests of american beech were thriving in ohio, kentucky, indiana and central michigan when colonists arrived. The american beech can live for three hundred to four hundred years and can reach heights of eighty feet and diameters in excess. Beech fagus is a genus of deciduous trees in the family fagaceae there are species of beech they are native to temperate europe, asia and north america beech grows on a wide range of soil types, acidic or basic, provided they are not waterlogged. Beech trees are native to the temperate regions of europe, asia, and north america. The tallest american beech found today in ohio, in ashtabula county, is feet tall. Fagus grandifolia bark b y rob duval is licensed under cc bysa 3. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with nondiscrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. Beech populations are higher on coarse textured, dry to mesic soils in the northern part of its range 2,41. American beech trees hendricksen tree care services. American beech bark is nearly white and is much paler than european beech.
The leaves of beech trees are entire or sparsely toothed, from 515 cm 2. Plants profile for fagus grandifolia american beech. This disease was first discovered in lake county, ohio in 2012 and has now spread to. The leaves of the american and the roble may change color in the fall bronze or yellow for the american and red. 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. Beech leaf disease is a disease spread by the newly discovered nematode, litylenchus crenatae mccannii. Fagus grandifolia american beech native plants of north america. Beech buds are distinctly thin and long, resembling cigars. A section of an american beech trunk is possessed by the the filson historical society with the carving d. Leachate from leaves appear to be allelopathic and inhibit growth of sugar maple seedlings and may help explain codominance of these two species in many forests. Oct 10, 2019 the american beech fagus grandifolia is the only species of beech tree native to north america but one of the most common.
Fagus grandifolia american beech page 4 beech bark disease occurs when the feeding site of woolly beech scale is invaded by a fungus. This tree is about 60100 tall, forming a trunk about 1. These trees have toothed leaves, and smooth gray bark. Large, stately tree with light gray, smooth bark that can resemble an elephants hide. Phonetic spelling fagus grandihfohleeuh this plant has low severity poison characteristics. Fagus grandifolia american beech environmental horticulture. Also, american colonists used the beech leaves as stuffing in their mattresses and pillows.
It is a versatile tree, often used in parks, golf courses, acreages, and the forestry industry. The american beech is a common tree found in the forests and woods of eastern part of the united states. The widespreading canopy provides great shade in the summer and beautiful bronze coloring in the fall. The american beech is now confined to the eastern united states. Also compare true american chestnut with three trees often confused with chestnut. Twig showing alternate leaf arrangement and long, pointy, cigarlike buds. These trees can grow up to 40 meters and their lifespan can exceed 300 years. Fagus grandifolia american beech pfaf plant database.
Edible nuts are attractive to most wildlife and are produced at 28 year intervals. The tree is monoecious, with flowers of both sexes on the same tree. American beech fagus grandifolia is the only species of a beech tree in north america. Fagus is the latin name which means a kind of oak, and the epithet sylvatica means growing in the woods. Many are cultivated as ornamentals, and the attractive wood is useful for timber. Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture.