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| This is one of the easiest trees to recognize in eastern North America. Its smooth, gray bark is suitable for carving and an alternative name for the plant is "Initial Tree," after the practice of folks carving their names onto the living trunk. American Beech usually has a shallow root system and is thus confined mostly to moist soils, especially those on rich slopes. Because of its shallow root system and its tendency to develop hollow trunks, the larger trees are frequent victims of wind storms. In the fall and winter, beech tends to hang onto its dead leaves for long periods, sometimes persisting until spring. This is a beautiful tree, valuable in the landscape for shade and its attractive bark. The nuts produced are highly valuable as wildlife food, but the trees do not always produce dependable crops. Fall - clear yellow turning brown. |