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Fagus grandifolia

Authority Ehrh. Family Magnoliopsida:Hamamelidae:Fagales:Fagaceae Synonyms Common names American beech, faia americana, red beeche, ridge beech Editor Ecocrop code 6078

Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION A slow-growing deciduous tree reaching 25-30 m in height and a trunk diameter up to 1 m. The leaves are simple, ovate-acute, and about 7.5 cm long. The fruit is a woody burr with 2-3 triangular seeds, 0.75-3.7 cm wide. USES The nuts are eaten fresh, dried or roasted, they are usually sweet but the flavour varies from tree to tree. The timber is hard and heavy and can be used for furniture, veneers, barrel making, boxes and flooring. Through distillation the wood produces creosote, which is used as an antiseptic, expectorant, and antipyretic. Wood charcoal is used in art. The tree is often planted as an ornamental landscape tree. KILLING T In the dormancy period the tree may tolerate -12°C. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. The tree may reach a maximum age of about 360-400 years. COMMON NAMES American beech. FURTHER INF Scientific synonyms: F. americana, F. ferruginea. American beech can be found in eastern USA. It thrives in a cool climate at high elevations, and tolerate considerable shade.
Sources
SOURCES (Fagus grandifolia) Duke J 1975 pp 16 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Solomon Roecklein J 1987 pp 414 [USE] Woodroof J 1979 pp 657-659 [USE, LIG, TEMP] Wickens G 1995 pp 45-46 [USE, PH]