296 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



June 



that value of not less than 10 per cent, much more rapidly. The time is not 



a year is taking place. As the use of far distant when the forest reserves 



the reserves increases, the cost of ad- will become self-sustaining. Later, 



ministration must, of course, increase they may confidently be expected to 



also, but receipts will certainly increase become a source of public revenue. 



BEECH (Fagus atropunicea)* 



VII. Notes on ForesT: Trees Suitable 

 for Planting in the United States. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The natural range of the beech is 

 from Nova Scotia to northern Wis- 

 consin ; south to western Florida, and 

 west to southeastern Missouri and 

 Texas. It reaches its maximum de- 

 velopment on the slopes of the Alle- 

 gheny Mountains and in the valley of 

 the lower Ohio River. It occurs in 

 mixture with most of the trees in- 

 cluded in its range. 



The range for economic planting 

 corresponds closely with its natural 

 range. 



SOIL. 



The beech prefers fresh, cool, and 

 rich soil. In the North it is found 

 upon the slopes of mountains, where it 

 sometimes forms pure stands ; in the 

 South it grows along the margins of 

 swamps, or in bottomlands along 

 streams. It grows well on limy or 

 chalky soils. 



GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION. 



The beech is a moderately rapid- 

 growing tree, sometimes, under favor- 

 able conditions, reaching the height 

 of 120 feet. In dense forests it pro- 

 duces a tall, straight, slender trunk, 

 which is adapted for economic pur- 

 poses. The tree is shade-enduring, 

 and the lower limbs persist for a long 

 time. The open-grown tree forms a 

 short, conical trunk, with many small 

 limits branching from it. The lower 



Furnished by U. S. Forest Service. 



ones droop towards the ground, and 

 if not pruned the tree forms an elon- 

 gated dome which is very ornamental 

 for parks or lawns. The light-colored 

 bark and fine spray of delicate branch- 

 es make it even more beautiful in win- 

 ter than when in full leaf. 



The beech usually forms the under- 

 story in the mixed stands where it oc- 

 curs. It reproduces well in shade from 

 the seed, as well as from root suckers. 

 The several nursery varieties are pro- 

 pagated by grafting. 



The beech is adapted for planting 

 under evergreens such as white, red, 

 or pitch pines, or it may be planted in 

 company with the yellow poplar, black 

 walnut, ashes, or oaks. When planted 

 with less tolerant trees, the beech acts 

 beneficially by shading the ground, 

 and at the same time aiding natural 

 pruning and increasing the height 

 growth of associated species. Beech 

 is also adapted for planting on cut- 

 over lands where reforestation is de- 

 sirable. 



If planted in pure stands, 8 feet by 

 8 feet is a good distance to set the 

 seedlings. This requires 68o seedlings 

 per acre. 



If planted in mixtures, the follow- 

 ing diagram illustrates a good plan ; 

 [6 feet by 6 feet.] 

 P B ' P B 

 B B B B 

 P B P B 

 B B B B 



