Plant Details

Fagus sylvatica

Beech

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Common names

60 names · 40 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Weeping Beech[2]
Other languages (39)
Dutch
  • Beuk[2]
  • Europese beuk
  • Gewone beuk
French
  • Hêtre
  • Hêtre commun[2]
  • Hêtre tortillard[2]
Afrikaans
  • europese beukeboom[2]
Albanian
Asturian
Basque
  • Pago arrunta[2]
Bulgarian
  • Обикновен бук[2]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 欧洲山毛榉[2]
  • 欧洲水青冈[2]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 歐洲山毛櫸[2]
Croatian
  • Obična bukva[2]
Czech
  • buk lesní[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik pöök[2]
Finnish
  • lehtopyökki[2]
German
  • Buche[2]
  • Gewöhnliche Buche[2]
  • Rot-Buche[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Greek
  • Δασική οξιά[2]
Hungarian
  • Európai bükk[2]
  • közönséges bükk[2]
Irish
Italian
Japanese
  • ヨーロッパブナ[2]
Latvian
  • Parastais dižskābardis[2]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis Bukas[2]
Luxembourgish
Macedonian
Norwegian
Ojibwe
  • Azhaawemizh[2]
Polish
  • Buk zwyczajny[2]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Бук европейский[2]
  • Бук лесной[2]
Serbian
  • Evropska bukva[2]
  • Европска буква[2]
Slovak
  • buk lesný[2]
Slovenian
Spanish
  • Haya común[2]
Swedish
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • vanlig bok[2]
Turkish
  • Batı Kayını[2]
Ukrainian
  • Бук лісовий[2]
  • Бук європейський[2]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Fagus sylvatica L. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • European beech (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 154476; taxon 3DSK5.
  • Rotbuche (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 154477; taxon 3DSK5.
[2] Fagus sylvatica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European beech — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Beuk — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Rotbuche — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Haya común — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • faig — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Faia — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Бук европейский — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Hêtre commun — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Faggio — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Bok — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • buk lesní — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Bøg — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • bøk — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Обикновен бук — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Fhaya — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Paprastasis Bukas — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • lehtopyökki — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Buk zwyczajny — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • faya — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Beech — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Azhaawemizh — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Бук європейський — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • buk lesný — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • bukev — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • copper beech — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Faia-rubra — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Blodbok — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • ヨーロッパブナ — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • harilik pöök — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Feá — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • 歐洲山毛櫸 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Δασική οξιά — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Fag — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Routbuch — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Weeping Beech — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Hêtre tortillard — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Európai bükk — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Бук лесной — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Бука — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Parastais dižskābardis — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Obična bukva — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Ahu — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • közönséges bükk — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Бук лісовий — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • rödbok — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • vanlig bok — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • 欧洲水青冈 — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • 欧洲山毛榉 — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Pago arrunta — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Ffawydden — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Европска буква — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Evropska bukva — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • europese beukeboom — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Gewöhnliche Buche — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Buche — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Rot-Buche — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.
  • Batı Kayını — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 54227; Fagus sylvatica.

General information

Scientific name: Fagus sylvatica
Accepted name (Kew): Fagus sylvatica L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fagaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Fagus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Beech
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Nut tree
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 15.24–18.29 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 10.67–15.24 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Slow
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Dense, Erect, Oval, Rounded, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Oil, Seed
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Charcoal, Hedge, Oil, Stuffing, Wood, Bee forage

Description

Young leaves of this plant can be eaten raw and have a tasty, mild flavor that fits well in salads. However, be aware that the leaves quickly become tough, so it is best to use only the young leaves. The plant grows twice a year within three weeks: in the spring and in mid-summer. The seeds of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked and have a pleasant, sweet flavor. However, they are quite small and inconvenient to use but can also be dried and ground into a powder. This powder can be mixed with grain to make bread, pastries, and other dishes. The seeds contain about 20 percent edible oil with a semi-drying property, similar to olive oil. This oil is long-lasting and can be used as a dressing in salads and during cooking. The seeds can also be roasted and serve as a coffee substitute. Note that the waste from the seeds is toxic, and a large intake of seeds is considered poisonous.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 30/11

Crown

Crown shape: Upright, oval to rounded
Sources [3]
Crown density: Dense
Sources [3]

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1021292; name ID 83773; Fagus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1021370; name ID 83891; Fagus sylvatica L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Fagus sylvatica

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 237398, ID 3DSK5: Fagus sylvatica L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Fagus sylvatica — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeCrown densityHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Crown density: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 35 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .