Beech (Fagus spp.) contains eight species which grow in Asia [4], Europe (F. sylvatica), and North America (F. grandifolia). The word fagus is the classical Latin name, from the Greek word meaning to eat, in reference to the edible beechnuts. All species look alike microscopically.
Other Common Names: beech, carolina beech, gray beech, red beech, ridge beech, stone beech, white beech, winter beech.
Distribution: American beech grows in southeast Canada and in the eastern half of the United States, from Maine to northern Florida, and west from the Atlantic Coast to Wisconsin, Missouri and Texas.
The Tree: The American beech tree grows in large pure stands and intermixed with sugar maple, yellow birch, American basswood, black cherry, eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, red spruce, sweetgum, Southern magnolia, ashes, hickories and oaks. It grows best in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils. American beech trees reach heights of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of almost 4 ft (1.2 m). The bark is thin, smooth, and gray to blue gray.
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of American beech is white with a red tinge, while the heartwood is light to dark reddish brown.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.56 54 865
12% 0.64 45 721
Ovendry 0.67 NA NA
aReferences: specific gravity, green and
12%, (98); specific gravity, ovendry,
(59); weight, (59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 1.38 106 9.515 GPa 1.72 106 11.859 GPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
MOR 8.60 103 59.297 MPa 14.9 103 102.736 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C| | 3.55 103 24.477 MPa 7.30 103 50.334 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C 0.54 103 3.723 MPa 1.01 103 6.964 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 11.9 82.051 15.1 104.115
in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3 in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness 850 lbf 3,780.80 N 1,300 lbf 5782.40 N
Shear| | 1.29 103 8.894 MPa 2.01 103 13.858 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea,b
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 11.9 8.8 3.7
Radial 5.5 4.1 1.7
Volumetric 17.2 13.0 5.4
aReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Standard T8-C2 T5-C1 NA NA NA
1-in. squares T8-C3
2-in. squares T5-C2
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: American beech ranks high in holding nails, but it should be pre-bored. The wood wears well and holds a polish, and it bends readily when steamed. Care is needed in gluing, but the wood finishes well with paint or transparent finishes.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: Sapwood and heartwood are permeable when pressure-treated with a compound like creosote. The red heartwood is extremely resistant to penetration.
Uses: Lumber, veneer, charcoal, railroad ties, pulpwood, cooperage, boxes, crates, baskets, pallets, furniture, flooring, sash, doors, trim, paneling, general millwork, woodenware, novelties, handles, brooms and brushes, food containers, turnery, and chemical extracts such as methanol, acetate and wood tar (creosote).
Toxicity: No information available at this time.
Additional Reading: 12, 29, 55, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101.