American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Fagaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated April 25, 2026

Plant Profile

Height

80 ft

Spread

32 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Size at 20 yr

30 ft

Lifespan

Long-lived

Light

Part Shade

Soil Drainage

Wet Tolerant

Soil pH

4.1-7.2

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

High

Hardiness

Zones 3a–8b

Bloom Time

April to May

Fall Color

Brown, yellow

Origin

from New Brunswick to Ontario, south to Florida and Texas

Peak Population & Dispersal

Oystershell scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

View full calendar (8 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.