Return to the Trees Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
Posted by
marcindy z5b Indianapolis% (
My Page) on
Mon, Nov 21, 11 at 11:16
| I must admit I haven't seen this very often, except maybe for some of the really old estate neighborhoods near the downtown area. But is there any reason why American beech wouldn't make a good front lawn tree? Something a little different form the usual maples and occasional oak trees. Thoughts? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| A trip over to Dawe's arboretum in Ohio made me a believer in the ol Beech. It is a little slower growing than some ppl have patience for....not much fall color. Still they are IMPRESSIVE and have that neat winter bark to make up for it. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yard?
| | |
- Posted by whaas 5a SE WI (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 21, 11 at 12:23
| This tree has a shallow root system (one of the reasons it isn't drought tolerant) so you end up with exposed roots in the lawn. You would need to mulch out with the drip line if you want to do this. This tree is also typically branched low (to shade the roots) so that is another reason you don't see it as a front yard tree. If you have adequte moisture and a huge front yard go for it though! |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| There are two up the road from me that are in between the street and a hay field I'll try to take a picture. There are no leaves on them so you can get a good look at the "bones" They never get watered and the soil here is typically sandy. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| Along the lines of what whaas wrote....when they are not mulched, you get a large area with sparse grass and weeds struggling to survive, which looks a little unkempt. Alex |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| It's generally not a great urban tree but when sited well, it does well. It's not overly drought tolerant, not salt tolerant, not very pollution tolerant, doesn't like very compacted soils or root disturbance, and the shallow roots and low canopy (of open grown trees) make for surface roots and no grass. That said, I've seen nice urban examples, usually in parks, cemeteries, and on very large yards. European Beech has similar issues, but not as pronounced. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| I have one, it's slow growing, but looks more muscle bound each year. It's branched low but eventually I'll limb it up a small bit. It has creeping raspberry and Aquelegia growing under it. But we haven't had drought since it's been planted. It's been 7 years in ground and is about 6 1/2 feet tall. I've seen a massive one, and the roots make like a mound around it, so you can't cut close. But with mulch or groundcover you won't have to. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
- Posted by jqpublic 7b/8a Wake County NC (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 21, 11 at 21:05
| There is this one older house in downtown Raleigh that has these 2 massive American Beeches in a small yard. The trees look great, but there isn't a whole lot growing under them. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
- Posted by whaas 5a SE WI (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 21, 11 at 21:29
| For a smaller scale look alike (to a point) try Carpinus caroliniana. Definitely not as long lived though...still get a good 40-50 years out of it. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| american beech and beech in general are really easy to vandilize. If you live in an area with a bunch of trouble makers I wouldnt plant one. They could easily carve names and things in them. I would certainly go with something native.... tulip poplars are very stately and get to be gigantic. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| Where would one source American beech, in other than seedling size? I've been looking for that and have not scored yet. Am. beech is one of the most intolerant trees there is to things like soil compaction, salt, poor drainage, etc. Still one of my faves though. +oM |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
- Posted by whaas 5a SE WI (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 22, 11 at 21:25
| Minors (Milwaukee) has b&b stock. 1.75" caliper for $135...not bad for a slower growing tree. Not sure where you are in WI. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| "Where would one source American beech, in other than seedling size?" Looks to be in decent supply among many of the wholesalers. Any upper-end (not the fruit stands that sell plants on the side or the big-box stores) should be able to get you a nice specimen with a little time. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| Thanks Whaas. I'm in Appleton. That Minor's is quite a good place I think. Only been there once, but they did seem to have a lot of stuff. Brandon, thanks also, but can you provide an example of a wholesaler that offers this species in other than lining-out size? I've searched aplenty online, and at least so far, the only outfit offering......or seeming to offer American beech is Nature Hills, about which I know next to nothing. I say 'seeming to' becuase they actually list it out of stock, and also don't seem much inclined to answer questions at the moment. Again, any help you can offer is much appreciated. I'm fine personally with starting out very small, but for some of my work projects, that's not an option. +oM |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| We are in Indy also. American beeches are great lawn trees,however,I agree they are slow and must be mulched. European beeches are faster and easier to establish. Also you have many more forms and colors to choose from. We have maybe 25 different ones and they all do well. I only know of a couple cultivars of Am. beech. Jay |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| I bought one at the local Botanical Garden annual plant sale about 4 years ago, it was in a 3 gallon container and very rootbound. Once I got it home I blasted the potting mix out of the roots and straightened them out really good. When it leafed out the following spring it was wilted for about a month, then it perked up and has been going strong since, even during drought. It is a slow grower though, about a foot per year. |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
- Posted by marcindy z5b Indianapolis IN (My Page) on
Sat, Nov 26, 11 at 18:41
| Thanks for all your thoughts. I pretty much knew most of the challenges associated with American Beech. I guess they could almost be considered a marker for tree lovers... :-) The few that I have seen at newer suburban homes were all generously mulched even as young trees, so obviously the homeowners knew what they were getting. Kind of need, I think, that they opted for something pretty unique.. Jay, were in Indy are you? Carmel here... |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
| marcindy, We are Westfield, next spring after leaf out maybe we can get together. Jay |
RE: American Beech for Front Yrad?
| | |
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in.
If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Trees Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
