Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)

Native to eastern North America, Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) is a magnificent, large, deciduous tree adorned with a short trunk and a dense, wide-spreading crown. Its foliage of ovate to elliptic, coarsely serrated, lustrous dark green leaves (5 in. long or 12 cm) turns rich russet and golden colors in the fall and holds on most of the winter. Branching to the ground, the thin, smooth, silver-gray bark covering the trunk and branches is truly outstanding in the winter landscape. In mid-late spring, small, yellow-green flowers are on display. They are followed by bristly fruits which ripen in the fall and are edible. Sturdy and imposing, American Beech makes a superb shade tree or specimen tree for a large landscape.

• Grows up to 50-80 ft. tall (15-24 m) and 40-80 ft. wide (12-24 m)
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils. Amazingly tolerant to a variety of soil conditions, but dislikes wet, poorly drained soils.
• Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Watch for aphids, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, Beech scales, coral spots, and heart and root rot in mature trees. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed. Difficult to transplant
• Native to eastern North America