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Beech

Fagus

Also called Beeches

Beech
Photo: Own, Public domain

Beech (Fagus) is a genus of about 14 deciduous forest trees in the beech and oak family, with European beech (Fagus sylvatica) the most commonly grown as an ornamental or shade tree. Give them full sun to part shade and deep, moist but well-drained soil, with plenty of room since they grow large.

Family
Fagaceae (Beech & oak family)
Grows as
Tree
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Water young trees regularly during the first few years and during dry spells; mature trees are fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Soil
Deep, fertile, well-drained loam; tolerates a range of soils but dislikes waterlogging.
Temperature
Hardy in temperate climates, typically to around -25 °C; avoid hot, dry sites.
How easy
Easy
Edible
Yes, some parts

About

Beech (genus Fagus) is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to subtropical (accessory forest element) and temperate (as dominant element of mesophytic forests) Eurasia and North America. There are 14 accepted species in two distinct subgenera, Englerianae Denk & G.W.Grimm and Fagus. The subgenus Englerianae is found only in East Asia, distinctive for its low branches, often made up of several major trunks with yellowish bark. The better known species of subgenus Fagus are native to Europe, western and eastern Asia and eastern North America.

The European beech Fagus sylvatica is the most commonly cultivated species, with several ornamental varieties, and forest trees yielding a timber used for furniture, flooring and construction, plywood, and household items. The timber can be used to build homes. Beechwood makes excellent firewood.

Other Fagus plants

American Beech · South Chinese Beech · Dwarf beech · European Beech

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Beech by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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