62 THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF WOOD. 



Beech J Fagus atropunicea (Marsh.] Sudworth. 



( Fagus ferruginea Ait. 



Nomenclature. (Sudworth.) 



Beech (local and common White Beech (Me., Ohio., 



name). . Mich.). 



Red Beech (Me., Vt., Ky., Ridge Beech (Ark.). 

 Ohio.). 



Locality. 



Nova Scotia to Florida, westward intermittently to Wisconsin 

 and Texas. 



Features of Tree. 



Sixty to eighty feet, occasionally higher; two to four feet in 

 diameter. Small rough burr contains two thin-shelled nuts. 



Color, Appearance, or Grain of Wood. 



Heartwood reddish, variable shades, sapwood white. Rather 

 close-grained, conspicuous medullary rays. 



Structural Qualities of Wood. 



Hard, strong, tough, not durable when exposed. Takes fine 

 polish. Liable to check during seasoning. 



Representative Uses of Wood. 



Shoe-lasts, plane-stocks, ship-building, handles, and fuel. Car- 

 pentry (abroad), wagon-making, etc. 



Weight of Seasoned Wood in Pounds per Cubic Foot. 



42. 

 Modulus of Elasticity. 



1,720,000. 

 Modulus of Rupture. 



16,300. 



Remarks. 



The nuts are seldom gathered in the United States, nor is the 

 wood there often utilized in carpentry. This is sometimes 

 divided commercially into Red and White Beech, according 

 to color of wood. Such division has no botanical basis. 



