286 Trees for Shade and Ornament 
spring, becoming deep green in summer and turning brown, finally 
bleaching out white, persisting partly through the winter. Best devel- 
oped in a loamy, even stiff, deep, moist soil, but will also grow in shal- 
lower and drier situations and limestone soils; although then rooting 
near the surface and being poor in form. It is a rather slow grower, 
but is one of the most shade-enduring forest trees, and so shady that no 
grass will grow under it. Free from insects, and clean, but in later 
life liable to fungus disease, and in its youth to frost and to sun-scald. 
Somewhat difficult to transplant on account of its deep rooting. A 
superior tree for lawns with ample space, rivaling the oaks, which it 
excels in quiet elegance. It is excellent for grouping with evergreens 
on a large scale. 
“wo species are planted: 
F. ferruginea Ait. (210) (Americana), American Beech, distributed 
throughout the eastern United States and Canada and — 
F. silvatica Linn. (211), European Beech. The latter is somewhat 
less hardy but rather superior by virtue of its earlier leafing out, with 
: smaller, more delicate foli- 
age, fringed by long hairs 
around the margin, and 
with a more compact 
form. 
For color effect, a nat- 
ural, well-known variety, 
purpurea (211a), Purple- 
leaved or Copper Beech, 
furnishes the finest dark- 
leaved form, fit for small 
surroundings and for con- 
trast. It needs favorable 
sites to maintain its 
beauty. 
Several cut-leaved and 
pendulous varieties are 
, rather attractive; espe- 
Fic. 99.— European Beech Fagus cially var. heterophylla 
sivatica Linn. (211b), and var. quer- 
coides (211c), are beautiful, dense, low trees, with interestingly lobed 
foliage. 
