American Beech

Scientific Name:
Fagus grandifolia

Average height at maturity:
50 to 70 feet

Average width of canopy at maturity:
50 to 70 feet

Leaves and bark:

• The American beech tree has leaves that are dark green in spring and summer and golden bronze during autumn. The leaves are oval shaped with jagged edges.
• It has gray, smooth bark that feels a bit gritty when touched.
• American beech trees exhibit marcescence, which means that their leaves dry out and turn brown in the autumn but stay on the trees through winter. The leaves fall off in spring when new growth begins.

Other fun and interesting facts:

• The American beech tree is native to the eastern United States.
• The beechnuts that are produced from this tree are an important food source to store away for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and other animals during the autumn season.
• Migrating passenger pigeons have made homes in the American beech tree.
• Early American settlers saw the American beech tree as a sign that the soil was fertile, so they cut it down to make room for farming.
• People have carved their initials and messages into many American beech trees because of their smooth bark.
• Look for an American beech tree at the back of Wood Park.

Sources:
https://forestry.com/trees/american-beech/
https://wp.towson.edu/glenarboretum/home/american-beech/
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mystery-marcescence
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/american-beech/
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=789

Photo Credit to Ben Leynse
Information compiled as part of Robert Slater’s 2023 Eagle Scout Project