Identifying Characteristics
| Size/Form: | American beech is a medium-sized deciduous tree that reaches heights of 60 to 80 feet. This stately tree has a short trunk and a broad-spreading, rounded crown when growing in the open, but a long, branch-free trunk when in the forest. |
| Leaves: | The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and elliptical to ovate with distinct, parallel side veins and a sharply-toothed margin. The stiff, leathery leaves are glossy and light green above, with a paler, yellow-green color below. The leaf tip is tapered. Leaves have a very short petiole and may be found clustered at the ends of small branches. |
| Twigs: | The slender, light-brown twigs take on a zig-zagging pattern. An obvious characteristic are its long (3/4 inch) buds that resemble long thorns. |
| Bark: | The bark is distinctively smooth, tight and steel gray, with occasional dark patches. The twigs are yellowish-gray and hairy with very long, thin, reddish-brown buds. |
| Flowers: | The American beech is a monoecious tree. The flowers are quite inconspicuous. |
| Fruit: | The fruits are shiny, triangular, brown nuts that are encased in a prickly bur and often found in pairs, on short stalks. The nuts are small but are sweet and edible. |
Similar Trees on the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest List:
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