158 THE TREE BOOK 



quantity of dark-colored heart wood, and are 

 much harder to work up than the "white" 

 species, which has a softer wood of a much 

 lighter shade. The leaves of the hard-hearted 

 "red" trees, which will not be dispersed by the 

 soddening rains of autumn, nor by winter's 

 heaviest snows, nor by the most boisterous gales 

 of March, have been compared to prejudices 

 which no amount of reason and persuasion can 

 remove. They cling with stubborn tenacity till 

 the tree rouses to renewed activity, and the 

 young leaves are ready to burst their buds. 

 The American beech ranges over the eastern 

 half of the continent, its western border being 

 Wisconsin and Texas. It may be known even 

 in winter by its smooth, silver-colored bark, its 

 glossy rich dark-brown stems, and its slender 

 spindle-shaped buds. 



The European beech is a favorite park tree. 

 You may distinguish it from the American 

 species by its darker bark and rich glossy 

 leaves, dark green above and lined with an 

 abundance of fine hairs which lighten the un- 

 der surface to a pale shade. This tree also has 

 a more oval head than our native species. Its 

 leaves often remain fresh and perfect until 

 November. The beautiful copper beech, with 

 its shimmering masses of glossy russet leaves, 



