The southern beeches Nothofagus previously thought closely related to beeches, are now treated in a separate family Nothofagaceae. They are found in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, New Caledonia and South America.

The beech blight aphid (Grylloprociphilus imbricator) is a common pest of beech trees.

Uses

The beech most commonly grown as an ornamental tree is the European Beech (Fagus sylvatica), widely cultivated in North America as well as its native Europe. The European species yields a widely used timber, an easy-to-work utility wood.

Beeches are used as food plants by some species of Lepidoptera - see list of Lepidoptera which feed on Beeches.

Chips of beech wood are used in the brewing of Budweiser beer to impart a taste similar to that of wood-barrel aging.

Also, beech is used for textiles under the brand name Modal.

Species

• Fagus crenata - Japanese Beech
• Fagus engleriana - Chinese Beech
• Fagus grandifolia - American Beech

• Fagus hayatae - Taiwan Beech
• Fagus japonica - Japanese Blue Beech
• Fagus longipetiolata - South Chinese Beech
• Fagus lucida - Shining Beech
• Fagus mexicana - Mexican Beech or Haya
• Fagus orientalis - Oriental Beech
• Fagus sylvatica - European Beech