This European tree is often planted across North America, and "escapes are to be expected" (FNA 3). However, there is no well documented record of self-sown establishment. The species has been mapped in Ky. by K, W and others, based on colls. from planted trees, but this is misleading. F. sylvatica (sensu lato) differs from grandifolia (sensu lato) as follows (Denk 2003; W): leaf blades sparsely pubescent below (versus densely so), with (5)6-10(12) lateral veins on each side of the midvein (versus (12)15-18(20)), the margins slightly crenate to entire (versus sharply serrate or denticulate), with L/W = 1.4-2.5 (versus 2-2.9); stomata with mean length 23.5 microns (versus 18.5 microns) and with subsidiary cells (versus without); peduncles 1-7.5 cm long (versus 0.5-2.5 cm); cupules valves ca. 10-30 mm long (versus 7-20 mm); trees up to 40-50 m tall (versus 20-30 m);