how big do beech trees get

American Beech Fagus grandifolia

• Hardiness Zones. The american beech can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9.
• Tree Type. This tree is considered both a shade tree and an ornamental tree. ...
• Mature Size. The American beech grows to a height of 50–70' and a spread of around 40' at maturity.
• Growth Rate. ...
• Sun Preference. ...
• Soil Preference. ...
• Attributes. ...
• Wildlife Value. ...
• History/Lore. ...

Full Answer

What does an American beech tree look like?

The American beech tree is a tall deciduous hardwood tree with large, glossy green leaves, smooth light-gray bark, and a rounded, spreading crown. As a beautiful shade tree, the American beech grows between 60 and 80 ft. (18 – 24 m) tall and up to 80 ft. (24 m) wide. American beech trees provide plenty of interest in all seasons.

How long does it take a beech tree to grow?

Beech trees grow extremely slowly. The U.S. Forest Service reports that seedlings planted in northern Pennsylvania took 10 years to get 2 feet high. Trees grown in the Great Lakes region required 20 years to grow 14 feet high, 40 years to grow 28 feet high and 80 years to reach 48 feet.

How tall does a dwarf beech tree grow?

This dwarf beech tree has all the attractive characteristics of the taller copper beech tree. The intense spring and summer purple leaves turn to warm copper tones in the fall. This small landscaping beech tree matures at around 12 ft. (3.5 m) tall and 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. Weeping Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’)

How tall do tricolor beech trees grow?

The tricolor beech is one of the small species of beech tree, growing between 20 and 30 ft. (6 – 9 m) tall. The tricolor beech is a suitable lawn specimen tree or hedge plant in USDA zones 4 – 7. The tricolor leaves are the outstanding feature of this Fagus species.

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Is a beech tree a good yard tree?

The beech tree is a staple in New England forests. Its large spread, attractive light gray, smooth bark and brilliant fall foliage color makes it an excellent woodland or specimen tree.

How long does it take a beech tree to grow?

40-60 yearsDepending on the species and growing conditions, a tree may not reach maturity for a few years to a few decades, or 40-60 years for beech trees!

Do beech trees have invasive roots?

Its root system is shallow and widely spreading which adapts it well to wet conditions. It is able to sprout new seedlings from its roots and often dense thickets of these root-sprouted seedlings are found around older, undisturbed trees. The leaves of the American beech are also quite distinctive.

Do beech trees spread?

It likes moist, well-drained soil. The dense crown spreads 40 to 60 feet (12-18 m.) at maturity, so give it plenty of room. Beech trees live 200 to 300 years, so choose the site carefully.

How far should a beech tree be from a house?

Generally, trees should sit about 15 feet away from a house. Some large species need a little more room while smaller species can be a bit closer. You can figure out if a tree is too close to a home in two steps. Give it a closer look.

What are beech trees good for?

Beech wood is used to make flooring, furniture, veneer plywood, and railroad ties. It is especially favored as fuel wood because of its high density and good burning qualities.

Are beech trees messy?

Its fruits, which drop onto the ground, can get a little messy for those who like a pristine lawn.

What animals live in beech tree?

Beech mast is a favourite food of many woodland animals such as badgers, deer, mice, squirrels, birds and certain species of caterpillars also eat the leaves. Because beech trees live for so long they provide habitats for many deadwood specialists such as hole-nesting birds and wood-boring insects.

What falls from a beech tree?

The fruit of the beech tree, known as beechnuts or mast, is found in small burrs that drop from the tree in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, with a bitter, astringent, or mild and nut-like taste.

How much space does a beech tree need?

Space plants 45-60cm (18in-2ft) apart. Small hedging plants don't require staking but may need protection from rabbits. Notes on how to plant individual beech trees can be found on our tree planting page or, here if you have chosen a larger specimen tree.

How long do beech trees last?

Age. Beech may live for 350 years (if managed as a pollard), although 250 may be more typical on many sites. On upland sites and as pollards beech may be 400 years old. Beech are ancient from 225 years onwards, although many have ancient characteristics from around 175 years.

What does a beech tree look like in the winter?

Small beeches are eye-catching in winter because they retain their leaves. The pale, paper thin leaves become paler as winter progresses and they rattle and dance in the wind, drawing attention to their understory host. Here's a twig showing the leaves still attached in early winter: .

What is the fastest growing tree?

1. Thuja Green Giant. The Thuja Green Giant is an evergreen tree that can grow in Zones 5 to 9 at a rate of 3 to 5 feet per year.

How slow do beech trees grow?

Growth Rate This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

Is beech slow growing?

An established Beech hedge has an average growth rate of around 30-60cm per year but reaches a maximum of 5m plus once mature. This is an average-fast rate of growth compared to other plants.

When should you plant a beech hedge?

We are often asked this question – from a horticultural point of view the very best time to plant almost all Beech hedge plants (especially bare roots and rootballs) is in late Autumn or early Winter.

How tall is a beech tree?

The American beech grows to a height of 50–70' and a spread of around 40' at maturity.

What zone do American beech trees grow in?

The american beech can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 4 –9. View Map

What is the significance of the American beech tree?

A sturdy, densely canopied tree, the American Beech was a sign of fertile soil to early settlers and was quickly removed so the plow could take over and farming for food could commence. In hilly locations, it was the home for migrating Passenger Pigeons who were so numerous that they broke off the limbs of the trees from the sheer weight of their numbers when they perched on them. There was a Beech tree on the old stage road between Blountville and Jonesborough, Tennessee that had an inscription carved into the trunk that read "D. Boone Cilled A Bar On Tree In Year 1760." The tree fell in 1916 and had a girth of 28-1/2 feet. The Forest Service estimated the tree’s age to be 365 years, making it fully two centuries old before Daniel Boone inscribed on it.

Where is the beech tree in Tennessee?

There was a Beech tree on the old stage road between Blountville and Jonesborough, Tennessee that had an inscription carved into the trunk that read "D. Boone Cilled A Bar On Tree In Year 1760.". The tree fell in 1916 and had a girth of 28-1/2 feet.

What is the name of the tree that grows in parks?

American Beech. Fagus grandifolia. The formal and stately American beech holds a special place in many hearts. The wide-spreading canopy provides great shade in the summer and beautiful bronze coloring in the fall. It is a versatile tree, often used in parks, golf courses, acreages, and the forestry industry.

How much sun does a sage tree need?

Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

How long are beechnut leaves?

Features simple leaves that are 3–6" long with sharp, incurved teeth on the margins. Yields edible, hard, brown beechnuts that are ½–1" in diameter. Compensates for its slow grown with longevity.

How long do beech trees live?

Examples of this include the famous Burnham Beeches near Windsor. Beech trees can develop into giants which tower over all other woodland trees and can live to 300 years.

How tall is a copper beech tree?

If you are looking for something a little more established we have some larger trees in the form of our Large Copper Beech Tree Gift and Common Beech Tree, both are supplied in 12L pots and measure approx 1.5m in height.

What is the bark of a beech tree?

The bark is smooth and grey and mature beech trees have a light wispy look to their outer twigs, while the main side branches can often be as thick as many other tree species trunks’.

Why were beech trees planted in the 17-18th century?

It became fashionable for Beech trees to be planted in the grounds of private estates of wealthy landowners in the 17/18th centuries because of their stately aspect. In the great storm of 1987 which hit southern England, beech trees took the brunt and thousands of mature trees were felled.

What animals eat beech mast?

Beech mast is a favourite food of many woodland animals such as badgers, deer, mice and squirrels and birds. Rare plants such as the Birds Nest Orchid grow in the leaf litter. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars, including those of the lobster moth and least black arches.

When do beech trees emerge?

The emergence of the stunning green foliage of beech in April is one of the most attractive sights in a springtime wood.

Is beech tree bad for you?

Beech Trees Bad Points: As beech is shallow rooted, mature trees are at risk of being up rooted in high winds. This may affect the siting of trees near houses. If you intend to grow it as a standard tree, Beech is only suitable for large gardens. Not suitable for small gardens.

What is a beech tree?

For other uses of Fagus, see Fagus (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Beach. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.

Where are beech trees native to?

Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America. Recent classifications recognize 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, Engleriana and Fagus.

What is the name of the tree that grows in small burrs?

The fruit of the beech tree, known as beechnuts or mast, is found in small burrs that drop from the tree in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, with a bitter, astringent, or mild and nut-like taste. The European species Fagus sylvatica yields a utility timber that is tough but dimensionally unstable.

How did beech trees spread?

Some research suggests that early agriculture patterns supported the spread of beech in continental Europe. Research has linked the establishment of beech stands in Scandinavia and Germany with cultivation and fire disturbance, i.e. early agricultural practices. Other areas which have a long history of cultivation, Bulgaria for example, do not exhibit this pattern, so how much human activity has influenced the spread of beech trees is as yet unclear.

Where is the European beech tree found?

European beech ( Fagus sylvatica) Fagus sylvatica is one of the most common hardwood trees in north central Europe, in France alone constituting about 15% of all nonconifers. Europe is also home to the lesser-known oriental beech ( F. orientalis) and Crimean beech ( F. taurica ).

Where is the American beech found?

The American beech ( Fagus grandifolia) occurs across much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, with a disjunct population in Mexico. It is the only Fagus species in the Western Hemisphere.

What is the German word for beech?

The German word for beech is "Buche, " leading to the Buchenwald concentration camp receiving its name from the beech forest that surrounded the camp.

What is the most common beech tree?

This is the most common beech tree across the world. It is similar to the American beech in appearance and growth habit, but has smaller leaves and bark that is a darker gray. Arriving in North America with European colonists in the 1700s, it is now widely naturalized and can be found in wild settings. The leaves are oval and dark green in color, up to 4 inches long. There are many cultivars available offering many growth forms and different leaf colors, including copper, tri-color, weeping beech, golden beech, and dwarf beech. Several have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Like the American beech, the European beech is a fairly trouble-free specimen that makes an excellent shade tree. It can be a better choice if you don't want the very dense shade of the American beech.

How long do beech trees live?

Beech trees are long-lived specimens that have been known to thrive for 200 to 300 years. In the right conditions, your beech tree will be an excellent shade tree for as long as you live in your home.

What is a beech tree?

Beech trees are deciduous plants that are classified as the Fagus genus and are in the Fagaceae family of plants. With a narrow but dense foliage crown, beech trees are popular choices for residential shade trees, and their wood makes excellent lumber and firewood. Beech trees can grow in many different conditions, provided the soil drains properly.

What is the name of the European birch?

Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' or Fagus sylvatica f. pururea) A very popular variety of European birch is the copper birch, usually described as Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea', although some experts regard it as a naturally occurring genetic form rather than a cultivar.

What kind of trees are good for shade?

Beech trees can develop a lush, dense canopy, shielding your backyard from harsh sunlight and casting ample shade. While the beech tree is a slow grower, its longevity and sturdiness will outweigh the inconvenience of waiting for it to flourish. If you're interested in beech tree-like trees, you can also consider a variety of oak trees, such as the English oak or turkey oak .

What is the color of the leaves on a grandiflora tree?

The bark is a medium gray and the canopy forms a dense oval to rounded crown. Fall leaf color isa golden bronze color. In the wild, it often suckers to form dense, brushy thickets.

Where can I find Buna beech trees?

This species is found throughout the forests of Japan, where it sometimes is the predominant species. It has smooth, silvery-gray bark and a rounded crown. The leaves are oval and a glossy medium-green in color. The foliage turns an attractive shade of yellow in fall. Also known as Buna or Siebold's beech, this tree has a widely variable growth rate and has been known to exceed 200 feet. It is also a frequent specimen in bonsai gardening. In the landscape, this beech casts very dense shade that can make it difficult to grow other plants under its canopy. It prefers well-drained, loamy or sandy soils.

How long does it take for a beech tree to grow?

Forest Service reports that seedlings planted in northern Pennsylvania took 10 years to get 2 feet high. Trees grown in the Great Lakes region required 20 years to grow 14 feet high, 40 years to grow 28 feet high and 80 years to reach 48 feet.

What is the only beech tree in the US?

Garden. |. Gardening. By Richard Hoyt. The slow-growing American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is the only beech species native to North America. Given enough time, it will mature into a tree 50 to 80 feet high with a broad, spreading canopy. While species of European beeches (F. sylvatica) are limited to U.S.

What USDA zone do beech trees grow in?

sylvatica) are limited to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 4 through 7, you can grow the American beech in USDA zones 3 through 9.

How much water does a beech tree need?

Beech trees use twice as much water as drought-resistant oaks and some pines. It has adapted to an average annual precipitation of 30 to 50 inches annually in its natural growing range in the northeastern United States. While it can withstand temperatures between -42 and 100 F, it does not do well in hot summer weather.

Why do beech trees not grow in urban areas?

Beech trees do not grow well in urban conditions, possibly because of the high levels of carbon monoxide in the air. They evolved in moist, rich bottom land and as a consequence they form dense, shallow mats of roots.

What are the insects that eat beech trees?

Beech trees are vulnerable to what the Forest Service describes as an “unusually large” number of sucking insects, including the giant bark aphid (Longistigma caryae) and the beech blight aphid (Fagiphagus imbricator).

How big do beech trees get?

Average Size at Maturity. Slowly reaches 25 to 35 ft. tall, 18 to 25 ft. wide. Bloom Time. Inconspicuous; prized for foliage. Design Ideas.

What is purple beech?

Inconspicuous; prized for foliage. This is the ideal purple-pink Beech for smaller city lots. Use it for shade, along an entry drive or as a street tree. Very cold hardy, the Beech can be both an accent among evergreens or planted in a grove and its color will be perceptible from a distance.

How to grow a sage tree?

Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, providing it is well-drained. Water deeply, regularly during first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Seldom needs pruning.

How deep do beech trees grow?

While the majority of roots grow in the top 2 feet of the soil, the deepest structural and anchoring ones do not penetrate deeper than 3 to 7 feet, according to Colorado State University experts.

What is the best soil for beech trees?

Impressive in stature and beauty, beech trees (Fagus spp.) grace woodlands, become spectacular shade trees for large lawns and even make tall hedgerows. As with all trees, protecting the roots from damage as well as providing a soil environment conducive for healthy root growth extends vigor and life. Grow beech trees in moist, well-draining soils rich in organic matter. All species tend to grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.

What is the root system of a beech tree?

Information on the Root System of Beech Trees. Impressive in stature and beauty, beech trees (Fagus spp.) grace woodlands, become spectacular shade trees for large lawns and even make tall hedgerows. As with all trees, protecting the roots from damage as well as providing a soil environment conducive for healthy root growth extends vigor and life.

How deep do roots grow?

While the majority of roots grow in the top 2 feet of the soil, the deepest structural and anchoring ones do not penetrate deeper than 3 to 7 feet, according to Colorado State University experts. Root functions include anchorage, water and mineral conduction, and food and water storage. Feeder roots, about 1/16 inch in diameter, ...

When did the beech tree allees at Planting Fields Arboretum lose vigor?

In the 1990s, the impressive beech tree allees at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, the former Gold Coast-era estate of William Robertson Coe, began losing vigor.

How far does the root zone extend?

Moreover, the root zone extends well beyond the edges of the branches. As a general guideline, the root zone covers a distance two to four times beyond the distance of the tree's canopy. Impressive in stature and beauty, beech trees (Fagus spp.)

How long does a beech tree live?

Like other hardwood trees, it’s estimated that an American beech can live for up to 400 years, reaching a height of 80 feet and a diameter of more than 3 feet.

What is a beech tree?

Beech trees are deciduous plants within the Fagus genus. All types of beech trees have narrow, dense foliage crowns, and many are popular choices for residential shade trees. They are also prized for their uses as lumber and firewood.

How to tell if a beech tree is old?

In the summer, a tree grows more slowly, so the wood has darker, smaller cells. When you cut the tree, the layers will appear as alternating rings of light and dark. You can count the dark rings, with each one equaling one year, to determine a beech tree’s age.

How to tell the age of a beech tree?

You can also estimate the age of a beech tree by measuring the circumference of the tree at chest height. This is usually done in inches. Divide the number by 3.14 to get its diameter and then multiply by six. You’ll get a rough estimate of the tree’s age with this technique.

What is the only beech tree in North America?

SmartAsset.com. The American beech is the only beech native to North America. According to Cornell University Cooperative Extension, it has elliptical leaves up to 4 inches long along with smooth gray bark and slender twigs. It produces heavy, close-grained wood that is often used for firewood and basketmaking.

What is the best beech tree for blocking out sunlight?

Found in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4-9, the American beech is a popular type of beech tree. Its spreading canopy makes it the perfect candidate for blocking out sunlight while also adding visual interest to a landscape. Like any other tree, the American beech does not live forever.

Why was the American beech tree removed?

It was viewed as a sign of fertile soil by early settlers but was often removed so farming could continue.

Overview

Description

Taxonomy

Distribution and habitat

Ecology

Cultivation

Uses

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