• Fagus grandifolia
• Tall tree grows to 60 - 80 feet with 2 - 3 foot diameter
• Distinctive, smooth gray bark
• Long, slender many-scaled buds
• Egg-shaped and coarse-toothed leaves 3 - 6 inches
• Small, triangular fruit enclosed in spiny bracts
• Fruits good source of food for birds and mammals
• Wood quality fair - used for cheap furniture and tool handles
• Widely planted as ornamental tree
• Habitat includes fertile woods
