Where Are All The Mature American Beech Trees?

Q: Why don’t I see many mature American beech trees in the area? I see a lot of juveniles with tan leaves but mature trees seem to be limited to low areas. Is the climate a limiting factor for American beech trees?

A: I think the limiting factor for American beech is shade, not climate. The juvenile trees grow very slowly underneath the cover of pines and hardwoods. But if a big tree falls and creates a sunny opening the juvenile trees quickly take off, competing with one another until one finally emerges as a large beech tree.