American beech - Fagus grandifolia

The shaded, slow-growing American beech is most commonly found on wet, well-drained soils and is often associated with sugar maple and yellow birch. Oil from beech nuts was used by early settlers as both cooking and lamp oil. The nuts are rich in fat and are a necessity for muskrats, squirrels, black bears, grouse and even wild turkeys. Porcupines have also been known to kill beech trees by girdling their trunks.

These 6-14cm long leaves are alternate, the veins are regular and parallel, ending in pointed teeth. Photo by Sean Fox

The American beech has thin, pale grey bark that darkens with age. Photo by Sean Fox.

The buds of the American beech are slender and very pointy, measuring 15-25mm in length. Photo by Sean Fox.

Ontario Tree Atlas map of non-planted American Beechs. 1995-1999.

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References

Farrar, J.L.. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. Toronto. ON. 504 pp.  

Kershaw, L. 2001. Trees in Ontario: Including tall shrubs. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. AB. 240 pp

Muma, W. 2011. Ontario Trees and Shrubs. [Online] Available: www.ontariotrees.com

OMNR, 2011. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Ontario Tree Atlas. [Online] Available: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ClimateChange/2ColumnSubPage/267027.html

OMNR, 2008. Ontario’s Biodiversity: Species at Risk.