The fruit, a triangular nut, is eaten by mamals and birds. The wood--reddish, close-grained and hard--is used for furniture, woodenware, barrel-making and veneer.
American Beech is a stately and beautiful tree. Our native species is best known. Copper Beech and Weeping Beech are European varieties which are often planted ast ornamentals in parks. Beeches prefer rich bottomland or upland soils. It tolerates shade and gradually dominates the forest growth. Its distinctive smooth gray bark, long, pointed buds, and strongly veined leaves are characteristic.
