American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) | Accent on Natural Landscaping

An American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) just beginning to turn to its fall color. Its leaves are rather long; 6" by 2-1/2" wide and they alternate. Their dull green leaves have a lighter green underside and are elliptical shaped with coarse veins and saw-toothed edges. Its nuts are palatable to a large variety of birds and mammals. — An American Beech (*Fagus grandifolia*) just beginning to turn to its fall color. Its leaves are rather long; 6″ by 2-1/2″ wide and they alternate. Their dull green leaves have a lighter green underside and are elliptical shaped with coarse veins and saw-toothed edges. Its nuts are palatable to a large variety of birds and mammals. (Click to enlarge.)

This past weekend was work weekend at our hunting property in Central Wisconsin. My brothers and their families and my husband and I all got together to prepare for the coming deer hunting season. It’s a fall ritual for many Wisconsin families, of course, and I’m certain they all look forward to it as much as we do. (It also gives me an extra excuse to do some fall turkey hunting….)

This year we were greeted with some of the most spectacular fall color. The beautiful scarlet of the American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) and the bold bronze of the Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), set against the dark green of the evergreens was awesome.

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is the prettiest of our oak trees since its fall colors range anywhere from a strong bronze to a brilliant red. — Northern Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) is the prettiest of our oak trees since its fall colors range anywhere from a strong bronze to a brilliant red. (Click to enlarge.)

One of the unique characteristics of the American Beech is its thin, smooth, light gray bark. Most hardwood trees retain their smooth bark only as saplings. In the shaded and moist conditions of our hunting property, the beech reaches a triangular shape with its typically horizontal branches. Its shallow root system is perfect for our ledge rock area.

Another American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) in full fall color. Often confused with American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) because of its grey, smooth bark, it too has spiny-husked seeds. A common name for all these species is Ironwood. — Another American Beech (*Fagus grandifolia*) in full fall color. Often confused with American Hophornbeam (*Ostrya virginiana*) and American Hornbeam (*Carpinus caroliniana*) because of its grey, smooth bark, it too has spiny-husked seeds. A common name for the hornbeam species is Ironwood or Musclewood. (Click to enlarge.)

One other unique thing about the beech tree makes it easy to spot during our long winters. Their elliptical shaped leaves typically hang on well into spring.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply