American beech trees (F. grandifolia) are a very common Adirondack hardwood tree species. They play a complex and important role in north eastern hardwood forest composition. Deer and other mammals avoid eating this tree because of its tough leaves.

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Beech bark disease affects American beech trees in eastern North America. Beech bark disease is associated with beech scales (small insects) which were introduced to Maine in 1890 and spread down the eastern coast of North America by natural migration or human dispersal. Female beech scales lay eggs on beech trees during the summer. When the eggs hatch immobile nymphs feed through a tube embedded in the tree's bark. Punctures from these tubes are invaded by wind born fungal spores (Nectria). Cankers and shredded bark follow the fungus' spread across the tree, eventually weakening trees and potentially killing them. This disease causes American beech trees to have a high distribution in small DBH classes. American beech trees have low survival rates. 

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When beech trees are infected and a stand begins to deteriorate trees will regenerate by reproducing colonially and developing root suckers. This regeneration process is swift because young trees are quickly infected by remaining beech scales, forcing a large percentage of the understory to be occupied by american beech trees. American beech trees are moderately shade tolerant and often compete with north eastern sugar maple trees for sunlight and nutrients in the understory. When beech trees out-compete young sugar maple trees it reduces abundance of deer, which prefer sugar maple, and play important roles in forest health.