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| Leaf; Photo: MNR |
Bark; Photo: MNR |
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| Fruit; Photo: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
Tree; Photo: Tim Ross |
The distinctive triangular nuts are eaten by people as well as wildlife.
The American beech grows across southern and central Ontario, as far north as the north shore of Georgian Bay. It’s a medium-sized tree that grows slowly but can live for 200 years or longer.
American beech trees have broad crowns with bark that is smooth and a light bluish-grey that darkens with age. Its large oval leaves (six to 14 centimetres long) are dark bluish-green on top and lighter beneath.
American beech nuts are edible and popular with many birds and mammals. They grow in pairs in bristly reddish-brown husks. Beech bark disease is currently threatening the species across its entire range.
Size: Up to 25 metres tall
Moisture: moist, well drained soils required
Shade: Very shade-tolerant
Soil: prefers rich soils
Planting Tip: Use chicken-wire or hardware cloth to create a small cage around seedling American Beech trees to protect them from wildlife. More tips...
