Fagus grandifolia

Habitat: variety of soils, moist rich uplands and lowlands

Wildlife Value: The nuts are eaten by small mammals, white-tailed deer, black bears, foxes, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, ducks, woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, American crows and blue jays.

Notes: Attractive bark; leaves may persist into winter. It can be difficult to grow other plants or lawn underneath a standing American beech. Beech develops suckers from its vast system of surface roots and entire beech groves have often grown from the roots of a single tree. Not recommended for smaller landscapes.