I have a specimen of either Fagus crenata or orientalis and do not know which one it is. Can anyone tell me how to differentiate the two?
No capsules available right now but I will get pics when avail. Is there any distinguishing leaf morphology between the two?
F. orientalis leaves "mostly broadest above the middle" F. crenata leaves "mostly broadest below the middle" – W J Bean, Trees & Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles. Not tested this myself to see if it is reliable.
Owen Johnson, Collins Tree Guide (2004, HarperCollins, London) says the same thing, plus Japanese beech has 7-11 vein-pairs vs. the 9-14 pairs of Oriental beech. And the leaves of the latter are "often cupped".