Leaf Identification

The leaves of the European Beech are 2″ to 5″ long with undulate (wavy) margins and noticeable reddish-purple leaf veins. They are dark green and shiny, and turn golden brown in the fall.

Twig and Bud Identification

The twig is zig zag and turns from brown to light gray as it matures. The bud is elongated and has numerous brown scales on it that sharpen to a point. The European Beech does have a terminal bud.

Bark Identification

The European Beech has thin, gray bark with an elephant-hide appearance.

Fruit Identification

[The fruit of the European beech is a beechnut, which is edible. The beechnuts are triangular pyramidal, and are covered in bracts (modified leaf structures) that form a spiny shell. The nuts will grow ripe in fall but are not dehiscent (this means they do not open up and drop the nut when ripe).

[photo forthcoming]

Flower Identification

The European beech is monoecious (plants either produce male or female flowers). The male flowers are yellow catkins (long hanging pollen-containing clusters). The female flowers have thin red tendrils and are very small, without showy petals or separate inflorescences. The flowers bloom in mid-spring.

[photo forthcoming]

ID Tips

  • Compared to the American Beech, the European Beech is smaller and has the uniquely wavy margins on its leaves.