Audubon® Native American Beech Treeling

A more beautiful bird feeder there never was! American Beech is a magnificent native forest tree cherished by humans for its smooth, slate-gray bark, its lofty canopy, and its golden and toffee-colored fall foliage, but this tree is also adored by birds. In fall, you may spot Blue Jays, titmice, nuthatches, and grosbeaks foraging among the branches for the energy-rich Beech nuts. Even more valuable to birds, however, are the many caterpillars that American Beech supports. Nearly 130 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on its foliage, and these protein-packed morsels serve as vital nourishment for songbirds and their chicks.

American Beech is possibly our country’s most elegant forest tree. In winter, its bleached, tissue-paper leaves flutter against slate-gray trunks, in spring, jade-green leaves emerge, in fall, the foliage turns shades of warm yellow and topaz. Native across a broad expanse of the Eastern U.S. and Canada, American Beech is a climax species, eventually dominating a forest if conditions are right. It can grow to over 100 feet tall in the wild. Its nuts feed deer, bears, porcupines, squirrels, turkeys, blue jays, and at one time, passenger pigeons—now extinct.

Acadian flycatchers and red-shouldered hawks are some of the many birds that like to nest in American Beech’s canopy. On very old trees, hollows may open up in the trunk, which provide cozy nesting spots for cavity-dwelling birds like titmice, nuthatches, flickers, and woodpeckers.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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