The American Beech

The American Beech Tree

This past weekend while on a family trip to the Traverse City area of Michigan I got the opportunity to explore the surrounding woods at the cabin we were staying at.  The woods of lower northern Michigan have a variety of trees that will keep any outdoors enthusiast entertained.  During my walk I came across Cedar, Hemlock, Maple, Birch, Oak, White Pine, Poplar, etc., but there is always one tree when I visit the area that really pulls me in, the American Beech (Fagus grandifolia).

While they are found in the woods of southeast Michigan they do not compare to how incredible a mass of them looks near Traverse City among the paperbark birch and splashes of hemlock and cedar .  The smooth grayish silver bark shines beneath the canopy with the massive bole reaching for the clouds.  A quote from Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs describes this beautiful tree the best, "A beech forest is perhaps the most awe-inspiring sight in the natural world, especially when the shimmering green leaves emerge in the spring and again in the fall when the leafy mantle assumes a rich golden hue."  

The American Beech grows 50 to 70 feet tall, will grow in sun or shade, wet to dry soil, acid to calcareous soils and can be found in cold hardiness zones 4 to 9.  The leaves are dark green serated leaves are simple and elliptic shaped 2 to 5 inches long.  In the fall they turn golden to brown and many will remain on the lower branches into the winter months.  The American Beech Fruit resembles a spiked burr and has four tiny nuts inside that many birds and mammals love to eat.  The buds a long, slender and come to a sharp point.

This magnificent tree produces a white wood that has been used for many things such as, toys, cookware and furniture.  The wood is very resistant to decay under water so it is used in making barrels to age beer and during the Colonial times it was used for water wheels.  

There are many trees within a forest, each has its own story on how it has stood the test of time, so don't be afraid to show your respect by pausing a minute to stare at its accomplishments.  

Appreciatively Yours,

Poseidon Pond Mann

Cory Mann