FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA / AMERICAN BEECH

FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA / AMERICAN BEECH

A Graceful Native Tree with Year-Round Elegance

Fagus grandifolia, commonly known as American Beech, is a native deciduous tree admired for its smooth, gray bark, stately form, and dense canopy of glossy green leaves that turn golden bronze in fall. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, American Beech adds structure, shade, and ecological value to woodlands, large gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Its nuts provide food for wildlife, while its majestic presence offers long-lasting ornamental appeal.

Why Choose American Beech?

Wildlife Friendly: Nuts feed birds, squirrels, and other small mammals.
Ornamental & Majestic: Smooth gray bark, large canopy, and seasonal foliage create year-round interest.
Shade-Tolerant: Thrives in partial to full shade, ideal for woodland gardens.
Low Maintenance: Hardy, long-lived, and slow-growing once established.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Glossy green leaves turning golden bronze in fall.
Flower/Seed Color: Small, inconspicuous flowers in spring; edible nuts in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 50–80 feet tall and 40–60 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 4–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates loam, clay, and slightly acidic conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 50–80 feet tall, 40–60 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, spreading deciduous tree with a dense, rounded canopy.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9.
Flowering & Fruiting: Spring flowers are inconspicuous; produces edible nuts in late summer/fall.
Seasonal Interest: Glossy green summer foliage, golden bronze fall color, and smooth gray bark.

Ideal Uses:

Woodland & Shade Gardens: Perfect for naturalized landscapes and forested areas.
Specimen Plantings: Adds majesty and long-term interest as a focal tree.
Wildlife Gardens: Supports birds, squirrels, and other small mammals.
Large Landscapes & Parks: Ideal for shade and structural presence in spacious areas.

American Beech is a stately and ecologically valuable native tree. Its graceful form, seasonal foliage, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for woodlands, large gardens, and naturalized landscapes.