DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
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and when large it forms one of the heaviest and grandest of 
park trees. Prom this massy quality, however, it is ex- 
cellently adapted to mingle with other trees when a thick 
and impenetrable mass of foliage is desired : and, on account 
of its density, it is also well suited to shut out unsightly 
buildings, or other objects. 
The leaves of many beech trees hang on the tree, in a dry 
and withered state, during the whole winter. This is chiefly 
the case with young trees j but we consider it as greatly 
diminishing its beauty at that season, as the tree is otherwise 
very pleasing to the eye, with its smooth, round, gray stem, 
and small twisted spray. A deciduous tree, we think, should 
as certainly drop its leaves at the approach of cold weather, 
as an evergreen should retain them ; more especially if its 
leaves have a dead and withered appearance, as is the case 
with those of the beech in this climate. 
The White beech, (, Fagus Sylvatica ,) is the common 
beech tree of the middle and western states. It is found in 
the greatest perfection in a cool situation, and a moist soil. 
The bark is smooth and gray, even upon the oldest stocks. 
The leaves oval, smooth and shining, coarsely cut on the 
edges, and margined with a soft down in the spring. 
The Red beech, (F. ferruginea , so called on acconnt of 
the colour of its wood, loves a still colder climate than the 
other, and is found in the greatest perfection in British Ame- 
rica. The leaves are divided into coarser teeth on the mar- 
gin than the foregoing species. The nuts are much smaller, 
and the whole tree forms a lower and more spreading head. 
The European beech, (F. sylvatica ,) is thought by many 
botanists to be the same species as our white beech, or at 
most only a variety. Its average height in Europe is 
