Fagus grandifolia
Owner: Long Point Basin Land Trust
Nominator: Norfolk Environmental Stewardship Team
Height: 31.4 m (103 ft)
Diameter: 94.36 cm (37 in)
Circumference: 296.3 cm (116.6 in)
Description
American Beech can be found in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, southern Quebec and Ontario, and throughout the eastern United States. This slow-growing deciduous tree is usually found in forests containing sugar maple, red maple, yellow birch, American basswood, black cherry, eastern white pine, oaks and hickories. Beech prefers soils that are well-drained and have a high humus content. Beech mast (nuts) are eaten by a large variety of birds and mammals, including mice, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, ducks and bluejays. Beech wood is used for flooring, furniture, veneer, plywood, railroad ties, baskets, pulp and rough lumber. It is especially favoured for fuelwood because of its high density and good burning qualities. Beech trees can be affected by Beech Bark Disease which occurs when Beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) attacks the bark of beech trees and renders it susceptible to bark canker fungi of the genus Nectria.
Tubbs, Carl H., Houston, David R. (1990, December). Silvics of North America, Volume 2: Hardwoods. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Retrieved date (2010, December 14th) from http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm
Beech Leaf (R. Merrilees)