American Beech Tree Seeds (Fagus grandifolia)
American Beech Tree Seeds (Fagus grandifolia)
Forest aristocrat. Quiet strength, golden flame.
The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a majestic native hardwood known for its smooth gray bark, dense summer canopy, and coppery-gold leaves that often persist through winter. Slow-growing but long-lived, it anchors mature forests, provides enduring shade, and produces mast that sustains wildlife for generations.
Why Choose American Beech?
- Native to eastern North America; ideal for restoration, reforestation, and legacy plantings
- Iconic smooth gray bark and rich golden-bronze fall color
- Leaves persist into winter, adding unique seasonal texture
- Produces edible beechnuts valued by birds, deer, and small mammals
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Fagus grandifolia
- Germination Rate: 91%
- Harvest Year: 2023
- Seed Source: Kentucky
- Stratification: 90–120 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soils preferred
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 50–80 ft tall × 40–60 ft wide (can exceed 100 ft in the wild)
- Growth Rate: Slow; extremely long-lived
FAQ
Can American Beech be grown from seed?
Yes. Beech requires a prolonged cold, moist stratification period (90–120 days). Sow in spring into acidic, well-drained soil and keep consistently moist.
How fast does it grow?
This species is slow-growing but develops into one of the most durable and long-lived shade trees in North America.
Are the nuts edible?
Beechnuts are a vital food for wildlife. Humans have also consumed them historically, but they should be eaten sparingly and prepared properly.
Related Seeds
Explore other iconic native hardwoods:
American Elm Tree Seeds (Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’)
American Ash Tree Seeds (Fraxinus americana)
Bur Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus macrocarpa)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for resilient, high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with detailed planting instructions.
Plant it for legacy and longevity—an enduring presence with quiet grandeur.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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