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American beech

Fagus grandifolia

Common names:
American beech

Content Detail

American beech is a large, graceful native tree, excellent for large, park-like landscapes where it has room to spread its wide, low-growing branches. The massive trunk has beautiful silver-gray bark; the dark green summer foliage turns a golden-bronze in the fall. Leaves typically hang on well into the winter months adding to the seasonal interest.

  • Family (English) Beech
  • Family (botanic) Fagaceae
  • Planting site Residential and parks
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
  • Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Mature height 50-70 feet
  • Mature width 50-70 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early fall, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous, Other
  • Shape or form Round
  • Growth rate Slow
  • Transplants well No
  • Planting considerations May be difficult to find in nurseries
  • Wildlife Cavity-nesting birds, Game birds, Small mammals, Songbirds
  • Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Size and Form

American beech has a large open canopy with wide spreading branches. It grows 50-70 feet high and wide. The short trunk is a smooth gray with branches that sweep towards the ground.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

C-Value: 5.  Native to most of the eastern U.S., this plant can be found growing along cool sites, such as slopes and ravines.

Bark Description

Bark is smooth and silvery-gray in color.

Leaf Description

Alternate, ovate leaves have toothed edges that are 2 to 5 inches long. Leaves are dark green in summer, changing to golden-bronze in fall. Leaf buds are over 1 inch long, sharply pointed and smooth, making them a good identification characteristic. Dried leaves will remain on the tree well into winter.

Flower Description

Male and female flowers are separate but on the same tree (monoecious). Female flowers are small terminal spikes, while male flowers are in clusters that dangle. They are yellow-green and not showy.

Fruit and Nut Description

Fruit are edible beechnuts.  The three-sided, triangular nuts are enclosed in a prickly husk.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

The American beech is a woodland species that prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It performs best in moderate to slightly acid soils. It is long-lived, often 200 to 300 years old.

Disease, Pests, and Tolerances  

Various insect and disease problems can occur but are seldom serious. It is intolerant of salt, drought, and wet sites.

Photo Gallery (6)

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