Fagus grandifolia American beechCulture: The American beech is best grown on undisturbed sites with acidic well drained soils. It is very sensitive to construction injury and will not tolerate soil compaction or wet sites. Use of heavy equipment over the root zone of existing mature specimens will usually doom the plant to a slow death. It is slow to establish and has a shallow root system making turf culture difficult. The American beech is usually not considered a good candidate for urban sites. It has a few insect and disease pests but none are serious. Usage: The American beech is a large tree with limited site adaptability and thus is best used in large sites with minimal traffic. This species makes an excellent specimen or can be very effective in groves where its fall color and smooth silvery silver bark can be appreciated. Avoid placing in highly public areas where vandals might carve into the bark, leaving a lasting disfigurement. |