American beech is a vital food source for a variety of wildlife in northern Maine. Beech Tree Trivia Facts. Winter, however, emphasizes this tree's other notable attributes - its long, thin, pointed, brown leaf buds and its smooth, thin, light gray, "wrinkled" bark that resembles an elephant's hide. American beech's graceful, spreading form is superior to other beeches and is attractive throughout the year. Interpreting Wetland Status. Learn about this plant's saw-toothed leaves, its unusual bark, and its significance for wildlife. European Beech: The European beech tree (Fagus sylvatica), also known as the copper beech or purple beech, is a large beech tree native throughout western Europe.These trees grow faster than American beeches (maturing in 30 years as opposed to 40), and they can get as tall as 160 feet. Initials carved for eternity in beech bark. Both are economically important timber trees and are often planted as ornamentals in Europe and North America; they may grow as tall as 30 metres (100 feet). It is the only beech tree species that is native to North America. Ninety-three percent of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in stands dominated by Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) nested in Sugar Maple or American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) trees that were dead or in declining health, whereas 86% of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in stands dominated by aspen (Populus spp.) Arrangement for testing in tension perpendicular to the grain. Range & Habitat: American Beech occurs occasionally in southern Illinois and the easternmost tier of counties in the central and NE sections of the state (see Distribution Map), where it is native. Like the Sugar Maple, the American Beech does not flourish in moist soils. The American beech (Fagus grandifolia), native to eastern North America, and the European beech (F. sylvatica), distributed throughout England and Eurasia, are the most widely known species. With its smooth, tight gray bark and crop of beech nuts, the American beech, Fagus grandifolia, is an iconic tree.A mature, healthy beech tree has a large spreading crown and dominates the trees around it, and plays an important role in the ecology of the New England forest. American beech bark is nearly white and is much paler than European beech. Beech is one of the few nut producing species occuring naturally in the region. This species is less tolerant of a high water table than Red Maple. Does not tolerate wet or compacted soil; drought sensitive and must be watered well in dry periods. American beech is a large, graceful native tree, excellent for large, park-like landscapes where it has room to spread its wide, low-growing branches. Beech Facts. 6–14 cm; Colour. – American beech Subordinate Taxa. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America.It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. These trees are known as purple beeches because of the color of their leaves. It is the only native species of beech which grows in North America; the European Beech was introduced from Europe and is a popular … Beech is deciduous tree that belongs to the family Fagaceae. nested in Quaking Aspen (P. tremuloides) that were in declining health. No information available. May 8, 2014 - The southern and eastern parts of the United States is home to one of the most important tree species of nature, the American beech tree. American beech also provides nesting habitat for a variety of birds, and cavities within older trees provide dens for owls, squirrels and other mammals. American Beech will grow to be about 70 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 50 feet. There are 11 species of beech that can be found in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, wooded slopes, bluffs, shady riverbanks, and better-drained areas in swamps. 72. Habitat. Trees are long-lived. This species is commonly incorporated into landscapes when developments are built into forested areas. Today, mature trees are falling victim to a Nectria fungus that blisters the bark and weakens the tree. Now confined to the eastern United States, American Beech is sometimes underrated and under-appreciated: which may be due to its somewhat bland appearance. The American beech is now confined to the eastern United States. It is a sturdy, imposing, large deciduous tree typically growing to 60 to 80 feet tall or more with a dense, upright-oval to a rounded-spreading crown and smooth bark that remains smooth as the tree ages. The American beech produces edible brown fruit called beechnuts, typically 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches in size, contained in husks covered in soft spines. 85 II. Habitat & Range. French name: Hêtre à grandes feuilles; Taxonomic Serial Number: 19462 Description Leaves. 1). American beech grows best in rich, … It is a large deciduous tree typically growing to 50-80’ (less frequently to 120’) tall with a dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading crown. Mill Creek Preserve in Alachua County, just 25 miles north of the University of Florida main campus, is home to the southernmost population of American beech in North America. Yet considering its decent strength and hardness—and its comparatively low cost—Beech represents an excellent value for woodworkers. 87 III. Leaves typically hang on well into the winter months adding to the seasonal interest. Other Common Names: carolina beech, gray beech, red beech, ridge beech, stone beech, white beech and winter beech. Comments: American Beech is sometimes underrated and under-appreciated: which may be due to its somewhat bland appearance. Published classification schemes listing American beech as dominant or codominant in habitat types (hts) are listed below: Area Classification Authority n MI, ne WI forest hts Coffman, Alyanak & Rosovosky 1980 n WI forest hts Kotar & others 1989 n WI, n MI forest hts Kotar 1986 MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS SPECIES: Fagus grandifolia WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : Beech wood is used … Unfortunately, because beech can regenerate aggressively and is slow-growing, in most uneven-aged forest management situations … The beech is not without its drawbacks. Latin name: Fagus grandifolia Ehrn. Illinois lies along the western range limit of this tree. They take a long time, up to 30 years, to start producing heavy mast. Facts. American Beech, like Sugar Maple, prefer well-drained sites with a deep water table. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. Form. The tree generally prefers moist soil, provided it is not waterlogged. Creep curves for American beech when placed under a constant load in compression or tension above the proportional limit at various temperatures and moisture contents. Habitat of the American Beech. American beech. The massive trunk has beautiful silver gray bark; the dark green summer foliage turns a golden bronze in the fall. Heavy logging for timber thinned it considerably, but they are making a comeback. CONTENTS Plate Page I. Disease, pests, and problems. They typically reach heights of 50 feet to 80 feet. Before the glacial period, beech trees flourished over most of North America. Deciduous, alternate, simple ; Narrowly oval, tip long-pointed; Base wedge-shaped; leathery; Veins straight, parallel, 9–14 per side; Often remain on tree into winter; Length. European beech, Fagus sylvatica, is the species most commonly grown in nurseries and planted in the landscape. The American Beech once covered most of the Eastern U.S. Other names: French name: Hêtre à grandes feuilles. “Beechwood aged” beer. It holds on to its toothed, golden-brown leaves very late into the winter. Black Bears depredated … It can tolerate a wide range of soil types. American Beech trees are shade tolerant; saplings … A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 4 m (13 ft) tall. The reference to muscle relates to the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. Benefits with a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuation. Compare the facts of American Beech vs European Beech and know which one to choose. The American beech is a common tree found in the forests and woods of eastern part of the United States. Other notes. Once they do start producing mast, they are fairly inconsistent from one year to the next. Having a fruit bearing plant in … The American beech is now confined to the eastern United States. This tree can live up to 400 years. American beech is found throughout much of eastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to northern Florida and west as far as Texas and Arkansas. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 120 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations! Fagus grandifolia, or American beech, is native to eastern North America and found throughout the state of North Carolina. AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia) Roswell D. Carpenter1 DISTRIBUTION Beech grows in the southeastern provinces of Canada and in the eastern half of the United States, where its range extends southward from Maine to northern Florida and westward from the Atlantic Coast to Wisconsin, Missouri, and east Texas (fig. Beech Tree Facts. Like Sugar Maple, the American Beech is usually classified as a climax species. Young plants can survive in partially shaded areas, while mature trees require direct sunlight. It has a typical lifespan of 150–200 years, though sometimes up to 300 years. The versatile aspen tree has the unusual distinction of growing from coast to coast across North American, spreading as far north as Alaska and Canada and as far south as West Virginia. Wetland Status. The good thing about the American beech is that, … Beech usually grows on chalk, limestone and other well-drained and fertile types of soil. Cankers can be a problem. Chipmunks, squirrels, porcupines and other mammals also take advantage of the natural shelter American Beech offers. American Beech develops natural cavities that provide nesting sites for cavity nesting birds like Titmice, Chickadees, Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, all of whom rely on insects for a large part of their diet, and will help protect the tree from insect leaf-eaters. Fagus sylvatica is a large tree, capable of reaching heights of up to 50 m (160 ft) tall and 3 m (9.8 ft) trunk diameter, though more typically 25–35 m (82–115 ft) tall and up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) trunk diameter. Avoid foot traffic over the root system. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Hardiness zone(s) 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. This plant has no children Legal Status. Allergic reactions of American Beech are Itchiness, Pulmonary oedema and Sinuses whereas of European Beech have Itchiness, Pulmonary oedema and Sinuses respectively. The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a large, deciduous tree that grows in the Adirondack Mountains and flourishes in well-drained areas of the VIC, often near Sugar Maples.The American Beech is also known as North American beech. Construction of portable testing chamber used in tests. No information available. The slow-growing beech tree is a common, deciduous tree that reaches its greatest size in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and may attain ages of 300 to 400 years. In Missouri, it occurs in rich woods of ravines, slopes and valleys only in the far southeastern corner of the state (Steyermark). American beech, Fagus grandifolia, is a common component of eastern hardwood forests. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is the only species of a beech tree in North America. The smooth bark of the Beech Tree is a favorite spot for lovers to carve their initials. Fagus grandifolia, commonly called American beech, is native to eastern North America. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) ... Common English name: American beech. Its exceptionally smooth, light gray bark makes the American beech stand out in any forest. Beech suckers readily, so a "mother" tree may be surrounded by dozens of its identical offspring saplings. For management purposes, American beech mostly regenerates by root suckers and by stump sprouts. Tolerant of higher pH soils than American beech. Beech-Nut brand gum. Much of the beech population in northern Maine has been affected by beech bark disease, which infects and kills larger trees of nut-producing age.