Beech: queen of the forest, here and abroad.

If oak can be called the king of the forest, then beech, with its combination of stately form, height and beautiful coloring, is certainly the queen.

The trees dominate the forest and survive in a competitive setting. One reason for that survival is that beeches, with their "labyrinth root system," often starve other species from the area. Conversely, beech's fallen leaves decompose into rich soil and the leaf drip, while not poisonous, is said to kill weeds.

Beeches belong to the Family Fagaceae which also includes oaks and sweet chestnuts. Beech trees grow in the United States and in Europe, as well as in China, Japan and North Africa. Two of the more notable beeches are the common beech or European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and the American beech (Fagus grandifolia, also known as Fagus ferruginea.) American beech is the only beech native to this country.

Long history for furniture use

Beech trees have beautiful silver-grey branches. Old-growth common beeches can provide a remarkable amount of shade. Giant beeches can provide a canopy of shade that stretches some 115 feet in diameter. It was once believed that beeches gave off a kind of poison that killed plant life under the trees, but today botanists say the more likely explanation is that the huge, dense shady area is not conducive to plant growth and the lack of sunlight, rather than poison, is to blame.

Beeches are grand looking trees with a long history traceable to ancient times of providing wood for a myriad of furniture uses from beds to tables, bowls and utensils. It is popular for veneer and lumber, makes excellent flooring and has always been used for food containers because it adds no taste or odor to what is being stored.

American vs. European

The American beech is similar in looks to the common or European beech. Its prime growing area is in the eastern United States from Maine to northern Florida and west to Wisconsin, on down to Texas as well as southeastern Canada.

In comparison, American beech is more coarse than the European variety. American beech is a reddish-brown color with conspicuous rays and tiny pores. Some selected wood will yield a cross-fire figure that looks similar to lacewood.

European beech comes from central Europe, including the United Kingdom, and also grows in western Asia. European beech is paler than its American cousin, almost a pale pink in contrast to the reddish brown of the American species. Steaming the timber yields a deeper colored, red-brown toned wood. European beech will sometimes have what is called a dark kern or veining that affects the figure of the wood. Normally, it has a straight grain and a fine, even texture.

Beech is a good choice when excellent strength and good working qualities are needed. European beech is the most commonly used hardwood in the United Kingdom. Its list of uses includes: cabinetmaking, high-class joinery, solid and laminated furniture, desks, work benches, chairs and chair parts, tool handles, musical instruments, flooring for homes, and heavy construction. The beautifully figured wood is used for decorative veneers and the less attractive pieces are used for corestock and plywood.

In the United States, beech has more competition from other hardwoods such as maple and birch, and has been occasionally marketed by its color, i.e., red beech and white beech. It is used in the for veneer, flooring, chairs and furniture, shoe lasts and tool handles as well as cooperage, cabinetry and brush backs.

While beech has excellent steam bending properties, it does pose some problems during drying. Extra care is needed because the wood dries very rapidly and can

warp, check, split and shrink. Another possible problem is discoloration. Both woods have movement in service once dry: American beech has moderate movement while common beech has large movement.

Beech is not an especially durable wood. Its enemies include the common furniture beetle and longhorn beetle. European beech can be susceptible to the death watch beetle. American beeches also have been bothered by a fungus which began in Nova Scotia.

Other beeches

Japanese beech (Fagus crenata and Fagus japonica), also called Siebold's beech, is similar to European beech and yields timber suitable for furniture and building purposes. Chinese beech (Fagus englerana) is a decorative tree from central China. At 65 feet, it is much shorter than the two more popular beeches.

Other beeches include the cultivars -- copper beech, weeping beech, Dawyck or fastigiate beech and fern-leaved beech -- all from Fagus sylvatica and popular choices for ornamentals.

Of all the beeches, the most curious looking beech is Tortuosa beech, so called for its severely malformed bole. The tortured looking trees, full of twists and holes, are thought to have resulted from a radioactive meteor centuries ago, according to the book "Encyclopedia of Trees," by Hugh Johnson. The trees occur in a line through Denmark, Champagne and Le Cosquer and look like a creation from a horror film.

Family Names

Common beech: Fagus sylvatica

American beech: Fagus grandifolia of the Family Fagaceae

Other Names

American beech is also known as sweet beech. Common beech is also known as European beech and is known through country of origin: French beech, Danish beech, English beech, etc.

Height/Weight

European beech common weight is 45 pounds per cubic foot with a specific gravity of 0.72 and average height of 131-150 feet. American beech weight is 46 pounds per cubic foot with a specific gravity of 0.74 and average height of 100 feet and above; some shorter beeches range from 50 to 75 feet.

Properties

European beech: weight is 45 pounds per cubic foot, specific gravity is 0.72, average height is 131-150 feet.

American beech: weight is 46 pounds per cubic foot, specific gravity is 0.74, average height is 100 feet or more; some shorter beeches range from 50 to 75 feet.