Fagus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- FAY-gus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Beech is a deciduous tree native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. There are 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, Engleriana and Fagus. The subgenera Fagus is the one native to North America and Europe and Engleriana is native to Asia.
The subgenera Fagus are high-branching with tall, stout trunks and smooth silver-grey bark. The flowers are separate male and female flowers and appear in spring. In fall the flowers are followed by the fruit called beechnuts and are edible.
Plant in well-drained fertile soils in full sun to partial shade. These trees are suitable as a shade tree for homes, parks, libraries, etc.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- F. crenata, F. engleriana, F. grandifolia, F. sylvatica
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- F. crenata, F. engleriana, F. grandifolia, F. sylvatica
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fagus
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Nuts are pressed for oils. The wood is used in construction and for firewood.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia and North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by mammals and birds.
- Edibility:
- Nutmeats, in small quantities, edible raw or cooked. Young leaves can be cooked for greens in the spring.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit, known as beechnuts or mast, is found in small burrs that drop in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, usually bitter taste.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The female flowers are borne in pairs, the male flowers in wind-pollinating catkins in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The alternate leaves vary depending on the species and can be oval to lance-shaped with or without toothed margins and sometimes wavy margins. Fall color varies also.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
