Tree Talk: American Beech

Let's take a gander at American beech (Fagus grandifolia), an ecologically important tree that is super easy to identify at any time of year.

Filmed on 1/1/21 in Lebanon County, PA by Allyson Wells and edited by Allyson "sweet birch" Wells.

[raganeducation]

You are providing a great service to all of us (myself included) who wish we knew more of our native flora when we're in the woods. Short concise and accurate, doesn't get better than that! Keep them coming!

[ErelasInglor]

My favorite tree in the world, grew up identifying them at the age of 8 whenever my family was taking road trips through the midwest/eastern U.S. :)

[jesseandersen]

I don’t know if I just have a thing for underdogs or what but I absolutely love these trees. All of our most popular threatened trees. Beech. Elm. Chestnut. They’re my favorite trees and I hope they rebound.

[markjones]

Again, learned more about beech in a few minutes than I have by reading for hours. Thanks to all, keep these videos coming. They're great!

[CS-pioc]

I grew up in MO where there r no American beech. Now in MA, the tree with that lovely smooth bark (& scarring w/crazed ppl) sets in the local park. It’s huge with roots showing above ground. The top is lollipop shaped. I thought it was an exotic plant from who knows where. I love it.

[EmeraldForester]

I love this tree so much, beautiful twigs and green foliage. The buds are so distinct and the bark makes this tree stand out very much!

[Gilgogagogoch]

I appreciate this video so much, it’s me and my mamaws favorite tree

[shopnwoods]

Great, informative video. I learned a lot. As a kid we called them elephant trees. We thought their bark was like elephant skin.
Thank you for all the great information.

[IsabelRodriguez-nvue]

Thank you very much for your easy going videos! Truly helpful all the information and details in learning about nature and trees. Best of luck in all your work.

[susandavis]

We love our majestic Beech tree so much! As frequent visitors to Hershey Gardens, it is very disappointing to see all of the defacing of its beautiful, towering Beech. Let's do all we can to protect & care for our trees!
Thanks, Ryan@

[STEVEWONDA]

Made it here by way of a web search as to why so many trees are dying or being cut down here in eastern CT. I learned so much by watching this in full. Dropping a sub. Thank you!

[ZiplineFilms]

Just started identifying trees here in eastern PA. The tree talks have been so useful and entertaining. Your the man!

[BonafideToolJunkie]

You'll see many of these growing near the Potomac river. Rather large ones, too. Although I did it myself as a kid, It's disrespectful to carve into them. It could even expose it to disease.

[blakespower]

when you see beech trees in a forest you can be sure that the forest has a grand daddy/mammy giant beech tree somewhere maybe 2, if you find a forest with nothing but beech trees that means its really old, because ultimately the forest will become all beech trees as they are the most shade tolerant, they will bide their time waiting for the hickories the tuliptrees the oaks to all die then take over the forest, unless there is something like a fire then they dont do to well

[fredflintstone]

Back in the early fifties my teacher closed school and took the whole class on a spring woods walk teaching about nature I was six and I still study the woods in spring

[richardschneller]

This is such a lovely species and it’s existence is threatened by more than one fatal disease. It distresses me greatly

[fteve]

we had one in our woods in the '60s and '70s. we called it the dumb dumb tree. we all carved in

[stephenblack]

We have stands of nearly pure beech on our place in TN. It has little commercial value so loggers leave it plus small beech trees can live in the understory for years, ready to reach for the sun when there is an opening in the canopy. Having a head start, they can out compete oaks and poplar, especially in the absence of fire.

[girak]

I've heard beech bark is also so smooth as to prevent vining plants from climbing up the trunk

[donaldatkinson]

Beech may not be good for ground contact, but it makes some unbelievably hard, strong lumber tough on blades and is excellent firewood. I live in a beech tree grove, which is rare in my section of SC. Might want to mention that they are very slow growing trees very large ones can be well over 300 years old.