42 TREES 



THE BEECH 



The American Beech 



Fagus Americanus, Sweet. 



One of the most widely distributed trees in our country, 

 this is also one of the most useful and most beautiful in any 

 forest. It is the sole representative of its genus in the 

 Western Hemisphere. One species is a valuable timber tree 

 in Europe. Three are natives of Asia. A genus near of kin 

 includes the beech trees of the Southern Hemisphere, 

 twelve species in all. There is closer resemblance, however, 

 between our beeches and their next of kin, the chestnuts 

 and oaks. 



From the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, from Florida 

 to Texas, from New England to Wisconsin, beech trees grow; 

 and where they grow they are very hkely to form "pure for- 

 ests," on the slopes of mountains and rich river bottoms. 

 The largest specimens grow in the basin of the lower Ohio 

 River, and on the warm slopes of the Alleghany Mountains. 



Standing alone, with room for full development, the 

 beech is a fine, symmetrical tree, with horizontal or sHghtly 

 drooping branches, numerous, thickly set with slender, 

 flexible twigs. The stout trunk supports a round or 

 conical head of very dense foliage. One hundred and 

 twenty feet is the maximum height, with a trunk diameter 

 of three to four feet. (See illustrations , pages 22, 30.) 



The older the trees, the greater the amount of red heart 

 wood in proportion to the white sap-wood, next to the 

 bark. Red and white beech wood are distinguished by 

 Imnbermen. Red beech makes suDerior floors, tool- 



