Plant DetailShow Menu

Fagus engleriana is often confused with:
Fagus sylvatica Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata' Tree
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Fagus crenata Japanese beech
Quercus acutissima Tree
Quercus laevis Form

Engler's Beech Fagus engleriana

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
FAG-us eng-ler-ee-AY-nuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Chinese Beech is a flowering, deciduous tree, usually multi-stemmed, though populations of single-stemmed trees are known in its native China. The Chinese Beech has alternate, simple toothed leaves with 1 tooth for each secondary vein. The flowers are small and inconspicuous and the fruit is a 3-angled nut inside of a weakly spiny husk. The tree is slow to mature in cool locations, but can reach an eventual height of 70 feet.

Chinese Beech does best planted in well-drained fertile soils in full sun to partial shade. Young trees are shade tolerant, but subject to frost damage and it is best to provide them protection from winter winds.

This is a moderate sized tree with a light branching structure and dainty leaves, which have been described as ‘sea-green’ on account of their glaucous undersides when young. As the tree matures, the leaves will turn yellow-bronze in autumn. These trees are suitable as a shade tree for homes, parks, libraries, and other municipal spaces. The are typically found in forests or natural area in rich woods, but are most often used as a cultivated tree in an urban landscape.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

 

 

 

More information on Fagus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#poisonous#fall interest#edible fruits#low branches#parks#bird friendly#mammals#recreational areas#lawn#poisonous seed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#poisonous#fall interest#edible fruits#low branches#parks#bird friendly#mammals#recreational areas#lawn#poisonous seed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fagus
    Species:
    engleriana
    Family:
    Fagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Nuts are pressed for oils. The wood is used in construction and for firewood.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and South East China
    Distribution:
    Western Europe and North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are eaten by mammals and birds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Nutmeats, in small quantities, are edible raw or cooked. Young leaves can be cooked for greens in the spring.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 45 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    A 3-angled nut inside of a weakly spiny husk. The fruit, known as beechnuts or mast, drop in autumn. They are small, roughly triangular and edible, usually with a bitter taste.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The female flowers in April and May are borne in pairs; the male flowers are borne in wind-pollinated catkins in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Four inch alternate, simple leaves. Glabrous except for long silky hairs on veins below, lateral veins in 9–14 pairs.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Can cause stomach upset if eaten raw or unripe.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponic Glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds