Longstalk Beech
Scientific name: Fagus longipetiolata
Overview
Longstalk Beech is a deciduous Asian beech traditionally described as Fagus longipetiolata. Current Kew taxonomy treats this name as a synonym of Fagus sinensis, native from southern and central China to northern Vietnam. Both names may therefore occur on herbarium records and wood specimens; preserve the original identification alongside the current treatment.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Longstalk Beech
- Scientific Name: Fagus longipetiolata
- Current Kew Treatment: Synonym of Fagus sinensis
- Family: Fagaceae
- Native Range: Southern and central China to northern Vietnam under the accepted treatment
- Wood Type: Temperate hardwood
- Average Dried Weight: Reliable species-specific value not established
- Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not established
Identification Characteristics
Identify material using documented foliage, fruit and provenance. The Flora of China treatment uses the name Fagus longipetiolata and distinguishes it partly by its relatively large fruit cupules. Common beech appearance alone cannot confirm this taxon.
Key identification traits include:
- Deciduous tree with smooth bark and elongated winter buds.
- Leaves with parallel secondary veins extending toward the margin.
- Fruit cupules about 2–2.5 cm long in the Flora of China key.
- Triangular beechnuts enclosed in a cupule characteristic of Fagus.
Working Properties
Species-specific machining, shrinkage and durability data are limited. Treat general beech guidance as a starting point and test the actual stock before committing to a project.
- Use sharp tools and trial cuts to assess tearout and surface quality.
- Dry slowly, seal end grain and check for checking or distortion.
- Acclimate before final sizing; test glue joints and finishes on offcuts.
- Use indoors unless decay resistance or a protective treatment has been independently established.
Safety Note
Use effective dust extraction and suitable respiratory and eye protection when machining or sanding. Wood dust can irritate the skin and respiratory tract; stop work if a reaction develops.
Common Uses
Wood material use is recorded under the traditional name. Detailed species-specific woodworking specifications remain limited, so proposed applications should be assessed using the actual board.
- Botanical wood collections and comparative studies of Asian beeches.
- Small indoor craft and joinery trials with authenticated stock.
- Educational specimens documenting the Fagus longipetiolata–Fagus sinensis name relationship.
Sustainability & Notes
Confirm legal origin, collection permission and local conservation requirements. Taxonomic changes can affect how records are filed; search both Fagus longipetiolata and Fagus sinensis when reviewing source documentation. Prefer documented salvage or other traceable supplies.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Related Guides
- Beech Species Guide
- Best Woods for Furniture Making
- Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained
- Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
- Building a Documented Wood Collection
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Label the sample with its original scientific name and note the current synonym treatment separately. Record locality, source tree, collection date and moisture condition. Retain foliage or fruit photographs when possible, and do not assign commercial European beech hardness values to this material.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
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As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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