VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Fagus grandifolia | American Beech 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Beech wood is used to make flooring, furniture, veneer plywood, and
railroad ties.  It is especially favored as fuel wood because of its
high density and good burning qualities.  Coal tar made from beech wood
is used to protect wood from rotting.  The creosote made from beech wood
is used to treat various human and animal disorders [31,41].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Beech mast is eaten by a variety of birds and mammals, including mice,
squirrels, chipmunks, blackbear, deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, ducks, and
bluejays [41].





PALATABILITY : 
Beech is regarded as a poor deer browse.  THe frequency of its use in
some areas is due to the low availability of more preferable browse [7].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
American beech provides cover for the Carolina chicadee (Parus
carolinensis) and the black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus) [10].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Beech grows relatively slowly and has a low tolerance to fire.  Its
value as a colonizer is limited [6,21,39].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Beechnuts are roasted and eaten or used a coffee substitute.  The leaves
and bark are used to make dyes [24].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Even-aged silviculture adversely affects beech production and favors
production of associated hardwoods.  Beech seedlings may be overtopped
in clearcuts by less shade-tolerant species such as birches (Betula
spp.) and oaks, which respond vigorously to increased light.  Repeated
clearcutting at short intervals may eliminate beech.  Shelterwood cuts
allow beech to develop with little competition from more intolerant
species [40,12,30].

Beech is seriously affected by beech bark disease.  The saddled is its
most serious defoliater, and the forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth,
fall cankerworm ruce spanworm (Operophtera bruceata) occasionally cause
heavy damage [41].

Related categories for Species: Fagus grandifolia | American Beech