European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Frequently planted as a shade tree with good year-round beauty. Interesting winter buds and twig growth is followed by unique attractive unfurling new growth in spring, deep green foliage that casts a heavy shade in summer, and golden to rust fall color. Small nuts are very popular with birds, squirrels, bears, deer and other wildlife and have been traditionally used for human food by roasting like chestnuts, or leaching the tannins out of the flour with water and making into a bread. Long lived tree can produce quality timber for fine woodwrking. In the wild can grow up to 160 feet tall, but rarely exceeds 80 feet in cultivation. Native from central Spain and Italy north to Sweden. Very similar to the American beech. Hardy zones 4-8.