Fagus grandifolia
American Beech

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. Less adaptable to hot, dry conditions than the exotic F. sylvatica, but somewhat more cold hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. sylvatica, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more pruning than other street trees). The nuts, once ripened in the fall, are edible and can be eaten fresh or crushed into a butter.