Download 37. American Beech - Friess Lake School District

Common Name of Plant: American Beech
Scientific Name of Plant: Fagus grandifolia
Average Height of Plant: 60-100 feet
Blooming Time: Spring
Ask the Botanist
What are the leaves like?
The simple leaves sprout from long, pointed, reddish-brown buds in the spring. They are 3-4
inches long, oval with a pointed base, and have toothed edges. The veins are easy to see. In
the fall the leaves become leathery and chestnut brown, and some remain on the tree through
out the winter.
What type of flowers bloom on this plant? What do the seedpods like like?
The yellowish-green flowers are not easy to see. They open up at the same time as the leaves.
Edible, triangular nuts form from the flowers inside burs. Each bur contains 2 or 3 nuts and is
enclosed in a husk covered with spines.
What is unusual about the stem or trunk?
The steel-gray bark is very smooth with no furrows.
How is this plant important to animals?
The nuts are food for humans as well as many animals such as opossum, black bear, whitetailed deer, rabbits, ruffled grouse, red and grey squirrels and porcupines. The wood is strong
and hard but not durable. It can be used for furniture and cabinets
What location does this plant prefer?
Basswood trees grow best in deep rich, moist well-drained soils derived from limestone. They
are shade-tolerant and usually reproduce vegetatively when new sprouts emerge from the base
of the mature trunks. Basswood trees characteristically form clumps of trees with the oldest
tree in the center and newer trees surrounding it.
Pictures
Whole Plant
Leaf
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Buds
Flowers
Buds
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Seeds
Stem or Tree Bark
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