of up to 45 m tall and 3 m trunk diameter, though more typically 25 - 35 m tall and up to 1.5 m trunk diameter. Like all beeches, it has smooth, grey bark.

The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire or with a slightly crenate margin, 7 - 15 cm long and 5 - 9 cm broad, with 7-13 veins on each side of the leaf (6-7 veins in F. sylvatica). The buds are long and slender, 15 - 30 mm long and 2 - 3 mm thick, but thicker, till 4 - 5 mm, where the buds