Fagus grandifolia
One of the most identifiable characteristics of American beech is its elephant-skin-like bark that is smooth and uniform. Commercially, the wood is often used in bentwood furniture where it is steamed and bent into a desired shape. American beech is also a quintessential food source within many forested ecosystems; its mast—the crop of nuts it produces—provide valuable nutrition for a wide variety of animals such as turkeys, raccoons, bears, and many more (including people!). It was one of the primary foods and nesting sites for the passenger pigeon, and American beech’s elimination and resulting sparsity within those forested ecosystems is thought to be one of the major contributing factors that lead to the passenger pigeon’s extinction.
Family: Fagaceae
Foliage: Deciduous
Mature height range: 50-100 ft.
Light exposure: Partial shade, full shade
Soil preference: Moist but well-drained
Tolerance: Highly shade tolerant but does poorly in urban conditions (low tolerance for pollution, salt, and soil compaction)
Wildlife: Fruit is eaten by birds, mammals, and insects; browsing by mammals; nesting site for birds and mammals; larval host plant for early hairstreak (Erora laeta)
