American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrl.) is native to the eastern North American deciduous forests and is the only species of this genus in North America . The slow-growing, deciduous tree usually reaches about 37 m height (120 ft) and may attain ages of 300 to 400 years . The native range of American beech is within an area from Nova Scotia in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States. Beech wood is easily workable, excellent for turning and steam bending and used for flooring, furniture, veneer and containers .