American Beech Tree (Fagus grandifolia)

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The American beech is a large tree. It can be 70 to 80 feet tall with a stem diamerter of 2 to three feet. This tree has a straight trunk which narrows to a rounded crown. It's slender, spreading branches contain 2.5 to 6 inch simple leaves that alternate along the branch. Tiny flowers (without petals) appear in the spring after the leaves have begun to grow. These flowers are followed by triangular nuts covered in weak spines. One of the most characteristic parts of the American beech tree is it's bark. This bark is pale gray in color. In addition, the bark is often mottled and will remain smooth throughout the tree's life.

Michigan State University