American beech is one of the most distinctive and common trees of the eastern deciduous forest. It is the only species in the genus Fagus native to North America. American beech is a slow-growing, shade-tolerant tree that can live 300 to 400 years. 

A medium to large tree, American beech grows 70 to 100 feet tall and up to three feet in diameter. Growing in an open setting, the tree will have a short stocky trunk and a wide spreading crown, but in a forested setting, it will have a straight massive trunk and a smaller crown.