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 purest lands and intermixed with sugar maple, yellow birch, American basswood, black cherry, Eastern hemlock, Eastern white pine, red spruce, sweet gum, southern magnolia, ashes, hickories and oaks. It grows best in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soil. American beech trees reach heights of 120 feet (37 m.), with a diameter of almost 4 feet (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. Mostly closed, straight grain; fine, uniform texture. Coarser than European beech.
Hardness (Janka):
1300 pounds (i.e. 1% harder than Northern red oak).
Dimensional stability:
Below average (i.e. 17% less stable than Northern red oak).
Durability:
Elastic, hard; excellent high shock resistance. Wears well and stays smooth when subjected to friction.
Variations within species and grades:
Only one species is native to the United States. Moderate to high color variation between boards.
Comments:
* Color variation: very small color change upon exposure to intense light.
* color change will disappear within a few months
* Indentation: indentation marks, scratches or imperfections are more obvious due to beech's density (closed grain) compare to oak and ash species.
