Source: Gilles Ayotte
Fagus grandifolia
Plant Names
Fagus grandifolia
American Beech
Hêtre à grandes feuilles
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 80.0 feet
Max Width: 80.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for woodland gardens
Can be used as a hedge
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for woodland gardens
Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Keystone species
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
American Beech is a majestic long-lived native tree known for its smooth gray bark and brilliant golden fall colour. It grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soils is an outstanding choice for large naturalized landscapes. It is very long-lived and requires plenty of space. It is best planted where it can mature undisturbed.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Fagus grandifolia
-
Erora laeta
Early Hairstreak - Lutin mystérieux
Specialized Bees Supported by Fagus grandifolia
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
- Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: 3/8 inch
- Sow by January
- Stratification conditions: Soak for 24h
- Stratification duration: 90 days
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: June
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting:
- Open the pod, remove seeds
- Seed viability test:
- Put seed in container filled with water
- If the seed goes at the bottom of the container, you can donate
- If seed floats, do not donate
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.