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Fagus crenata

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
FAG-us kre-NAY-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Japanese Beech is a flowering, deciduous tree, with a rounded crown native to Japan. This variety of beech tree tends to have dense, low branches with a  tall, stout trunk and smooth, silver-gray bark. The Japanese Beech, in particular, has alternate, simple, toothed leaves with 1 tooth for each secondary vein. The flowers are small and inconspicuous and the fruit, the edible beechnut, is a 3-angled nut inside of a weakly spiny husk. The tree is slow to mature, but can reach a height of 100 feet.

Japanese 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. The trees have surface-feeding roots, can cast a dense shade that can inhibit the growth of other plants, and prefer hotter summers.

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#lawn tree#edible fruits#parks#bird friendly#mammals#recreational areas#poisonous seed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#poisonous#lawn tree#edible fruits#parks#bird friendly#mammals#recreational areas#poisonous seed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fagus
    Species:
    crenata
    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:
    Japan
    Distribution:
    Eastern Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are eaten by mammals and birds.
    Edibility:
    Nutmeats, in small quantities, are edible raw or cooked. Young leaves can be cooked for greens in the spring.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    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)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 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 are borne in pairs; the male flowers are borne in wind-pollinating catkins in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, gray bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    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