Native Trees of Kentucky 



American Beech Fagus 

 ferruginea. 



In rich, alluvial bottom 

 lands or low fertile hill- 

 sides of Kentucky, the 

 Beech forms pure stands 

 of considerable extent ; 

 this gregarious habit is 

 due to its tolerance of 

 shade and its three suc- 

 cessful modes of repro- 

 duction : 



1. An abundant crop of 



seedlings. 



2. An Extensive' root 



system growing 

 near the surface 

 sending up many 

 young shoots. 



3. Cut-over stumps 



sprouting readily 

 from the wood 

 .lext to the bark. 



Commercially, Beech is gaining in importance; the wood, so 

 subject to decay in contact with the soil, has now been made 

 prominent in the market by improved methods of preserva- 

 tion. It is used for railroad ties; in house construction for joists; 

 it competes with Maple, Birch and Oak for flooring, and is serv- 

 iceable for agricultural implements, for household utensils, for 

 building sluices and dams. 



As Beech demands good soil and is of slow growth, its place 

 in the forest, under systematic management, will be given in the 

 future to faster growing trees ; to Tulip Trees, Ash, Basswood, 

 Hickory and other commercial hard woods. 



As an ornamental shade tree, the Beech has no rival. Its habit 

 of low extensive branching and its massive foliage of varying 

 color, offer great attractions for landscape planting. 



Tree large, round-topped with horizontal and drooping 



branches. 



Bark close, smooth, light gray. 

 Leaves thin, taper-pointed, prominent veins ending in teeth 



at the margin. 



Fruit annual burs with recurved prickles, containing two tri- 

 angular, edible nuts. 



