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American beech

American beech

Fagus grandifolia

tree⛅ part shade💧💧 moderate waterZone 2b – Zone 9b

A stately native hardwood tree prized for its smooth gray bark, fine-textured foliage, and golden fall color. Grows slowly to large size and prefers cool, moist conditions with some shade.

Overview

Form
Rounded
Growth Rate
slow
Size
50–80′ tall × 40–60′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

high

Flood Tolerance

low
Zone 2bZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 2b to Zone 9b

pH Range

4.17.2
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 4.1 to 7.2

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringFall

Succession Role

mid successionalclimax

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri

Function & Care

wildlife benefitediblewindbreakhedgerow

Edible Parts

nut

Establishment & Care

Establishment
moderate
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
40 years
Propagation
seed, cutting