Image of Fagus grandifolia
Source: Gilles Ayotte
Fagus grandifolia

Plant Names

image of Deciduous Tree
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:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant stratification Requires stratification
Landscape Uses:
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
keystones 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

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Fagus grandifolia
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

No ecozone information available for this plant.

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.