American Beech
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 50-70' tall and wide, occasionally 100-120' tall. Slow growth rate, possibly medium rate when young.

Native Range

New Brunswick to Ontario, South to Florida and Texas.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are monoecious, male in globose heads, female in spikes with 2-4 flowers. April-early May with the emerging leaves. Fruits are three-winged nuts, solitary or in groups of 2 or 3, partly or wholly enclosed by a prickly involucre about 0.75" long, the prickles recurved, the nut is edible.

Leaf and Bark Features

Beautiful golden bronze fall color, often persisting into winter. Bark is thin, smooth, light blusing gray almost silvery on young stems; similar on mature trees, but darker.

Culture and Care

Prefers moist, well-drained, acid soil (pH 5-6.5). Will not withstand wet or compacted soils, or soil oxygen concentration below 15%. Shallow root system, transplant when dormant. Disease and insect problems generally not serious. Leaf spots, powdery mildew, bleeding canker, leaf mottle, beech bark disease, cankers, aphids, brown wood borer, beech scale, beech mealybug, two-lined chestnut borer and caterpillars have been reported.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Beautiful native tree.

Suggested Uses

Use is restricted to large areas.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA