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Fagus grandifolia

American beech

A slow-growing, medium deciduous tree up to 15m in height. The bark is a smooth silvery-grey and its leaves, as its name suggests, are large, up to 15cm long, green through the summer turning light yellow in autumn. The inconspicuous flowers become bristly-cased nuts in autumn.

Other common names
purple beech
Synonyms
Fagus americana
Fagus ferruginea
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Yellow Brown
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Fagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched, Suckering
Potentially harmful
Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Fagus are large deciduous trees with smooth grey bark, ovate leaves colouring well in autumn, and inconspicuous flowers followed by usually spiny fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
E N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Suitable for large gardens. Grow in any deep fertile soil in good light. For more information see tree cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Banks and slopes
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and beech scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to beech bark disease, fungi (particulary bracket fungi) and powdery mildews. Sometimes susceptible to honey fungus

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