American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

native

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Other Names:
White Beech, Gray Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Stone Beech, Winter Beech, Carolina Beech, Beechnut Tree

The American Beech is a native tree found throughout Virginia. Unlike most deciduous trees, the leaves remain on beech trees throughout the year, making them easy to spot in the winter. (The botanical term for retaining leaves like this is marcescence). Beech nuts are known as mast, and the mast is palatable to a large variety of birds and mammals. Passenger Pigeona, one of the most populous bird species in history, relied on beech mast for a large part of their diet. One reason Passenger Pigeons became extinct is that beech and oak forests in their range were cut down. The nuts from the tree have no connection with Beech-nut Chewing Gum. Beech wood is strong, heavy, and difficult to cut without power tools. It is used for flooring, containers, furniture, and other purposes. A lot of people vandalize American Beech trees by carving their initials or a message into the smooth gray bark.

Identification Tools

Illinois Wildflowers Friends of the Wildflower Garden Go Botany Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center NC State Extension Floridata

Ranges

North America Virginia

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