Alphabetical Plant Listing

Fagus grandifolia (American Beech)

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


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

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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 Fagus - Beeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' – 80' (15m – 24m)
Spread 40' – 80' (12m – 24m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
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, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Utah, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Texas
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Hank Erdmann, Patricia Hofmeester, Shutterstock, Chanticleer Gardens

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.


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 Fagus - Beeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' – 80' (15m – 24m)
Spread 40' – 80' (12m – 24m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
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, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Utah, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Texas
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