SCIENTIFIC NAME: Fagus grandifolia

COMMON NAME: American beech

LEAVES: Alternate. Paper-thin with straight parallel veins that each end in a serration. Up to 5" long.

FRUIT: Small brown beech nuts with sticky husk less than 1" long

BARK: Smooth. Very distinctive.

OTHER: Cigar-shaped pointed buds up to 1" long. Native tree that grows near water. Has very dense shade underneath where it is much cooler than ambient temperature. Yellow fall color. Surface roots. Grows 60' to 80' tall. Because of the dense shade, grass will not grow underneath the tree. A member of the Fagaceae family. It is a myth that this species will repel lightning but people still swear that it will.