American Beech

Fagus grandifolia · Fagaceae (Beech family)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
American Beech

Leaf Morphology

Leaf Type

Simple, deciduous

Shape

Elliptic to oblong-ovate with unlobed margins

Margin

Serrate with prominent teeth at the end of each vein

Arrangement

Alternate on a short petiole

Venation

Pinnate with extremely straight, parallel veins running directly to the margin teeth

Key Features

Extremely straight parallel lateral veins terminating in sharp marginal teeth on an elliptic blade

Description

Large deciduous tree reaching heights of up to 35 meters with smooth, distinctive light gray bark. Produces small bur-encased nuts and exhibits golden-bronze autumn foliage that often persists through winter.

Habitat

Understory and canopy of mature deciduous forests in moist, well-drained soils and partial to full shade

Native Range

Eastern North America from Canada down to Florida and Texas

Identified on 10/19/2026