Fagus Grandifolia, commonly known as the American beech, is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is a popular ornamental shade tree prized for its attractive leaves, smooth gray bark, and edible nuts. Some synonyms for Fagus Grandifolia include the American beech tree, beechwood, and the gray beech. Other synonyms for this tree include the bigleaf beech, the white beech, the yellow beech, and the red beech. Fagus Grandifolia is also sometimes referred to simply as the beech tree or the American beechwood tree, as it is one of the most common species of beech in North America.