Southern Chinese Beech

Scientific name: Fagus lucida

Overview

Southern Chinese Beech is a deciduous member of the beech family native to central and southern China. Its glossy leaves help distinguish the living tree, while authenticated wood specimens are useful for comparing Asian beeches. It should be identified by its botanical name because several Chinese Fagus species share similar common names.

Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Southern Chinese Beech
  • Scientific Name: Fagus lucida
  • Family: Fagaceae
  • Native Range: Central China, including south-central and southeastern regions
  • Wood Type: Temperate hardwood
  • Average Dried Weight: Reliable species-specific value not established
  • Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not established
  • Availability: Specialty botanical specimens; confirm identity and provenance

Identification Characteristics

Leaves and fruit provide more dependable species clues than color alone. A wood sample should be matched to a documented tree or authenticated reference specimen. General beech anatomy is useful for recognizing the group but does not establish Fagus lucida by itself.

Key identification traits include:

  • Glossy, ovate to elliptic-ovate leaves about 5–11 cm long.
  • Leaf stalks about 0.6–2 cm long, with 8–12 secondary veins on each side.
  • Small marginal teeth at the ends of the secondary veins.
  • Deciduous habit, smooth bark and elongated buds characteristic of the genus.

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 use is recorded for this species, but detailed commercial product specifications are scarce. Verify performance before substituting it for a familiar commercial beech.

  • Authenticated wood collections and comparative anatomy.
  • Small indoor craft or joinery trials using legally sourced, well-dried material.
  • Botanical research and educational displays.

Sustainability & Notes

Keep source records and avoid undocumented wild collection. A common name or a general beech trade label does not establish the species, legal origin or conservation status. Confirm local harvest restrictions and use salvaged or documented material where possible.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

Related Guides

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

Record the scientific name, collection locality, source tree, date and drying history. Keep end-grain, radial and tangential views together; the glossy foliage is a useful supporting identification feature when photographs are available.

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When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.

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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:

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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

Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.

As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.

Lumber Suppliers:

Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.

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