American Beech

Fagus grandifolia · Fagaceae (Beech family)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
American Beech

Leaf Morphology

Leaf Type

Simple, deciduous

Shape

Elliptic to ovate with 9 to 14 pairs of lateral veins

Margin

Coarsely serrate with teeth corresponding to vein endings

Arrangement

Alternate with short petioles

Venation

Pinnate with highly prominent parallel lateral veins

Key Features

Ovate shape, prominently straight parallel veins, and coarsely serrate margin

Description

Large deciduous tree reaching heights of up to 35 meters with smooth, thin, light gray bark and small, hard, triangular nuts enclosed in prickly husks

Habitat

Rich mesic upland forests and slopes in well-drained, acidic to neutral soils under moderate to deep shade

Native Range

Eastern North America from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida

Identified on 10/18/2026