American beech (Fagus grandifolia) has slender rounded twigs that are without hairs. The leaf scars are circular on the lower side and flat on the upper side. The terminal and axillary buds (left photo) are very long and slender often ending in a sharp needle-like point. In cross section the stems have have dark lines that radiate outward from the center like spokes in a wheel (right photo). This tree has opposite simple leaves that are paper thin. They are translucent, letting light pass through. The leaves also have jagged edges. American beech can get by with very little light and it often has branches very near the ground. The bark of American beech is thin, gray and smooth. This alone is often enough to identify this tree. The tree also has buttressed roots which resemble toes. CLICK on any image to enlarge it.
