ion: FIG. 53.--Buds of the Beech Tree.]

Commercial value: The wood is soft and not durable. It is used in the
manufacture of small articles and for wood pulp.

Other characters: The _fruit is a catkin_.

Comparisons: The _paper birch_ (_Betula papyrifera_) is apt to be
confused with the gray birch, because both have a white bark. The
bark of the paper birch, however, is a clear white and peels off in
thin papery layers instead of being close. It very seldom shows any
dark triangular markings on the trunk. Its terminal twigs are not
rough and its trunk is usually straighter and freer from branches.

The _black_ or _sweet birch_ (_Betula lenta_) has a bark similar to
the gray birch, except that its color is dark gray. See Fig. 51. The
twigs have an aromatic taste.

[Illustration: FIG. 54.--Trunk of Blue Beech.]

[Illustration: FIG. 55.--Bark of the Ironwood.]

The _yellow birch_ (_Betula lutea_) has a yellowish or golden bark
which constantly peels in thin, ragged, horizontal films.

The _European white birch_ (_Betula alba_) has a dull-white bark
like the native white birch, but has smooth terminal twigs instead
of rough ones. It is commonly seen in the United States on lawns and
in parks.

AMERICAN BEECH (_Fagus americana_)

Distinguishing characters: The *close-fitting, smooth, gray bark* will
tell this tree from all others except the red maple and yellow-wood.
See Fig. 52. The red maple may then be easily eliminated by noting
whether the branches are alternate or opposite. They are alternate
in the beech and opposite in the maple. The yellow-wood may be
eliminated by noting the size of the bud. The *bud* in the
yellow-wood is hardly noticeable and of a golden yellow color, while
that of the beech is very *long, slender, and sharp-pointed*, and
chestnut brown in color. See Fig. 53.

Form and size: It grows tall in the woods, but on the open lawn spreads
out into a massive, round-headed tree.

Range: Eastern Canada and United States.

Soil and location: Prefers a rich, well-drained soil, but will grow in
any good soil.

Enemies: _Aphides_ or plant lice that suck the sap from the leaves in
spring and early summer are the chief enemies of the tree.

Value for planting: The pleasing color of its bark, its fine spread of
branches, which gracefully droop down to the ground, and its
autumnal col