Beeches

Beeches are a group of deciduous trees in the genus Fagus, within the family Fagaceae. The two best-known species are the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and the American beech (Fagus grandifolia); several additional species occur in Asia, including Fagus engleriana, F. crenata, and F. japonica. Beeches commonly form dense forests or occur as part of mixed woodland in temperate regions.

Beech trees commonly reach 25–40 meters in height, with smooth, pale gray bark and slender branches. Leaves are simple and alternately arranged, typically 4–10 centimeters long, with serrated margins. In autumn they turn yellow to bronze before falling. The wood is hard, strong, and fine-grained, usually pale in color and highly regarded for furniture, flooring, and various wooden implements.

Distribution and habitat: Beeches are native to temperate zones of Europe, western and central Asia, and eastern North America. They favor well‑drained, fertile soils and tolerate a range of moisture and light conditions, though seedlings generally require some light to establish. Mature trees often form shade-tolerant canopies over rich leaf litter, influencing understory vegetation.

Ecology and reproduction: Beechnuts provide food for wildlife, with mast years producing abundant seeds. Beeches are slow-growing and long-lived, and regeneration relies on canopy gaps to supply light for saplings. In North America, beech bark disease, caused by a scale insect that enables fungal infection, poses a significant threat to mature trees in some regions.

Uses: Beech wood is valued for furniture, plywood, flooring, and cooperage. The edible nuts, once processed to remove tannins, have historically served as a carbohydrate source in some cultures.