American Beech – ID Sheet

Common Name: American Beech

Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia

Other Names: North American Beech

Identification:

• Smooth gray bark
• 50-70 feet tall with rounded crown
• Alternate leave growth
• Leaves are elliptical, single toothed, and dark green
• Leaves often stay on the tree during the winter

Habitat:

• Grows in mix hardwood forest
• Found in moist or loamy soils
• Grows in coastal areas and up to 3,300 feet

Uses:

• Beechnuts can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute
• The wood is fairly quality. It is used in cheap furniture, pulp wood, and baskets

Interesting Facts:

• The American Beech is native to North America
• The American Beech is now confined to the eastern United States
• It is an indicator species for Northern Hardwood Forest

Observation Notes:

• December 2020- Northern Vermont- I was walking in the woods and noticed the Beech tree still holding on to its leaves. The leaves are very noticeable in the winter woods. This led to a deeper investigation into the tree.
• The older taller Beech trees seem to drop more of their leaves
• I would like to observe this tree through a complete year. I don’t think I have ever noticed a Beechnut on the tree or on the ground.
• Questions that still need to be answered:
  • Why does the Beech Tree hold on to it’s leaves?
  • What does Beechnut coffee taste like?

Resources:

• Trees of the Adirondacks: American Beech
• Wikipedia-Fagus grandifolia
• Paul Smith’s College VIC Trees of the Adirondacks
• TreeHugger-How to Identify the American Beech

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