Beech is a genus of deciduous trees with smooth bark and acute, elongated winter buds and is native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. There are 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, Engleriana and Fagus . The subgenera Fagus is the one native to North America and Europe and Engleriana is native to Asia. Plant in well-drained fertile soils in full sun to partial shade. All species of beech prefer light soils with good drainage, but their shallow rootplate makes them vulnerable to drought and windthrow. Both the European and American Beeches are considered to be at great risk from climate change in many parts of their natural ranges Beech trees are especially suitable as a shade tree for homes, parks, libraries, etc. Beech trees are a mainstay of the grand landscape and an important woodland and ornamental tree across northern Europe. In the hot and humid parts of East Coast North America, from about Washington DC southwards, F. sylvatica fails to thrive and is better replaced by the suckering native F. grandifolia . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Beech trees are generally unaffected by pathogens, but Beech Bark Disease is significant in both North America and Europe. The disease results when the Beech Scale insect feeds on beech bark producing lesions that become infected by the fungus Neonectria faginata, eventually killing the tree.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Undulate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The alternate leaves vary depending on the species and can be oval to lance-shaped with or without toothed margins and sometimes wavy margins. Fall color varies also. The leaves have parallel lateral veins terminating with an acute or obscure marginal tooth.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Insignificant
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The female flowers are borne in pairs, the male flowers in wind-pollinating catkins in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The fruit, known as beechnuts or mast, is found in small burrs that drop in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, usually with a bitter taste. There are two per cupule; they are distinctly three-angled and may have a small wing.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth gray bark
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Europe, Asia and North America
Wildlife value
Fruits are eaten by mammals and birds.
Attracts
Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Nuts
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Nutmeats, in small quantities, edible raw or cooked. Young leaves can be cooked for greens in the spring.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Nuts are pressed for oils. The wood is used in construction and for firewood.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Naturalized Area; Recreational Play Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; English Garden; Garden for the Blind; Native Garden; Shade Garden
Design feature
Shade Tree
Garden tags
#poisonous #NC native #shade tree #recreational areas #parks #edible fruits #lawn tree #mammals #bird friendly #hortcontest