Why plant 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.
How to use Audubon® Native American Beech Treeling in the landscape?
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.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native American Beech Treeling
American Beech is particular in its needs. It prefers the woodsy soils that it calls home, so if you live in an older neighborhood and native Beeches grow nearby, this tree may be a good fit. Newer subdivisions where the topsoil has been scraped off spell trouble. American Beech likes a steady supply of moisture, but no standing water, and it won’t tolerate soil being piled on top of its roots, as happens sometimes during construction projects. It is shallow-rooted and needs to “breathe,” just like you and me.
How To Water
The American Beech has rather average water needs. This plant should get about one inch of water a week as rainfall should be able to help you out as well.
How To Fertilize
In spring, feed your American Beech with a granular fertilizer. Lucky for you, we have our Elements Starter Plant Food in granular form to give you that extra boost of life!
How To Prune
If needed, the best time to prune your American Beech is during their dormant period - winter into early spring - before the leaves appear.