American Beech Tree

American Beech Tree – Fagus grandifolia

Native to the eastern United States and extreme southeast Canada, the American Beech Tree is a versatile tree that holds a special place in many hearts. With its wide-spreading canopy, the American beech is a provider of great shade in the summer and alluring bronze coloring in the fall. This tree is often used in golf courses, parks, acreages, and the forestry industry. The formal and courtly American beech is not a tree to be planted for fast growth and quick shade. Rather, it is a slow grower planted for future generations to appreciate. This is a tree that allows the planter to leave a legacy.

The American Beech Tree can be anticipated to grow in Hardiness Zones 4-9. At maturity it grows to a height of 50 to 70 feet, with a spread of around 40 feet. With its slow to medium growth rate, the American beech has height increases of anywhere from less than 12 inches to 24 inches per year. Sometimes it will grow only 13 feet in 20 years but rich soil and ample moisture can greatly speed up the growth process. The tree is very drought sensitive and has a soil preference of loamy, acidic, moist, sandy, well-drained, silty loam, and clay soils. In more simple terms, the American beech favors a well-watered, well-drained spot. It is intolerant of salt, urban pollution, and soil compaction.

In history, the American beech served as a sign of fertile soil to early settlers. This sign indicated a good potential place to clear the forest for the purpose of farming. It retains its smooth bark as it ages and grows in an oval shape. Its longevity compensates for its slow growth. The simple leaves of the American beech are 3 to 6 inches long and have sharp, incurved teeth on the margins.

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