By Tom Koritansky, Natural Resource Manager

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a common inhabitant to many of the forests within Lake Metroparks and northeast Ohio. This species occupies a wide range throughout eastern North America extending into Canada through southern Quebec and Nova Scotia, west throughout Michigan and eastern Wisconsin and throughout the southeastern United States. American beech prefer well-drained soils that receive adequate moisture, but they also do well on some drier sites too. Beech also grow in association with sugar maple—another common tree in our area.

Beech are robust trees. Mature trees can reach heights between 50 and 70 feet. Leaves of beech trees are elliptical with pointed tips and coarse single-toothed margins. Leaves and twigs are alternately branched and turn a vibrant golden color in the fall. They will remain on the tree throughout the winter, although they become much paler. The buds are highly elongated and narrow. The bark of American beech trees is light gray and relatively smooth—quite distinctive among the trees common to our forests.

While American beech may not be highly sought for its timber value, it is an important tree for wildlife. Nuts produced by beech trees (called beechnuts) are an important food source for wildife and are rich in fats and protein. Wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks and other animals all feed on beechnuts. Beech are host to numerous insects like the wooly beech aphid, leaf hoppers, ants, and an extensive list of moths and butterfly caterpillars. These insect-rich trees become preferred foraging sites for birds like the hairy woodpecker. These trees are also sought by cavity-dwelling birds like black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice and cavity-nesting waterfowl like wood ducks. Since beech are quite capable of supporting nesting sites and foraging resources, it wouldn’t be surprising to notice wood thrush, scarlet tanagers and several species of warblers using these trees as nesting or foraging sites. 

Wooly beech aphid

Beech also host the root parasite known as beechdrops. These parasitic plants lack chlorophyll and survive by drawing nutrients from the roots of beech trees. They appear cream to brown in color and produce flowers with prominent burgundy markings. The spiky stems of beechdrops often grow in clusters within the root zone of beech trees. Even though they are a parasitic organism, their effect on the tree is minimal.

Beechdrops

Recently though, beech trees have fallen under a lot of stress. In 2012, a disease that affects the leaves of the tree was first discovered in Lake County by retired Lake Metroparks Biologist John Pogacnik. Since that time, the disease has spread throughout northeast Ohio to neighboring states to the east and into Ontario, Canada. Work continues to take place to determine the cause of this disease. Beech Leaf Disease is first identified by distinctive dark green striping between leaf veins. As the disease progresses, more leaves on the tree become affected—they appear heavily striped and disfigured. In later stages of the disease, bud and branch mortality occur. Some mortality, especially of young trees, has been noticed. 

Leaves affected by Beech Leaf Disease

Although many of our beech trees have been affected by this disease, many trees are still holding their own. There is still a lot to learn, so Lake Metroparks continues to work with partner agencies to research this disease. We are hopeful that we can determine a cause and stop the disease from affecting any more trees in our forests and beyond.