68 STUDIES OF TREES 



The yellow birch (Betula lutea) has a yellowish or golden 

 bark which constantly peels in thin, ragged, horizontal 

 films. 



The European white birch (Betula alba) has a dull-white 

 bark like the native white birch, but has smooth terminal 

 twigs instead of rough ones. It is commonly seen in the 

 United States on lawns and in parks. 



AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus americana) 



Distinguishing characters: The close-fitting, smooth, 

 gray ba!rk will tell this tree from all others except the red 

 maple and yellow-wood. See Fig. 52. The red maple 

 may then be easily eliminated by noting whether the 

 branches are alternate or opposite. They are alternate 

 in the beech and opposite in the maple. The yellow-wood 

 may be eliminated by noting the size of the bud. The 

 bud in the yellow-wood is hardly noticeable and of a golden 

 yellow color, while that of the beech is very long, slender, 

 and sharp-pointed, and chestnut brown in color. See 

 Fig. 53. 



Form and size: It grows tall in the woods, but on the 

 open lawn spreads out into a massive, round-headed tree. 



Range: Eastern Canada and United States. 



Soil and location: Prefers a rich, well-drained soil, 

 but will grow in any good soil. 



Enemies: Aphides or plant lice that suck the sap from 

 the leaves in spring and early summer are the chief enemies 

 of the tree. 



Value for planting: The pleasing color of its bark, 

 its fine spread of branches, which gracefully droop down 



