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Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)

American Beech, Purple Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree

Fagus grandifolia, American Beech, Purple Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color
Fagus grandifolia, American Beech, Purple Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color
Fagus grandifolia, American Beech, Purple Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color
Fagus grandifolia, American Beech, Purple Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree, Deciduous Tree, Fall Color

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

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Fagus
Common names American Beech, Beechnut Tree, Beech
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' - 80'
(15.2m - 24.4m)
Spread 40' - 80'
(12.2m - 24.4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Utah
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’ (European Beech)
Fagus sylvatica (European Beech)
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ (European Beech)
Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ (European Beech)
Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’ (European Beech)
Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’ (European Beech)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cedrus deodara ‘Aurea’ (Deodar Cedar)
Abies lasiocarpa ‘Green Globe’ (Alpine Fir)
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Grayswood Ghost’ (Himalayan Birch)
Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Trees with Four Seasons of Interest for Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Fagus
Common names American Beech, Beechnut Tree, Beech
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' - 80'
(15.2m - 24.4m)
Spread 40' - 80'
(12.2m - 24.4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Utah
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Do I Need?
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Fagus (Beech)
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