American beech

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American beech Fagus grandifolia

Description

A deciduous Beech tree, Fagus grandifolia, native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Texas. Beechwood is a pale reddish-brown timber from the beech trees is a hard, tough, fine-grain wood. It is used for furniture, flooring, Plywood, Veneer, cooperage, shoe lasts, and tool handles.

Synonyms and Related Terms

beechwood; Fagus grandifolia;

Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Wood is acidic. Color: Pinkish brown with dark brown rays. Rings: obscure. Pores: diffuse, fine. Grain: faint. Rays: distinct. Hard, strong and heavy. Specific gravity = 0.74. Density = 46 ppcf.

Large trees growing to 35 m. Bark=smooth, gray. Leaves=simple with veins and toothed edges. Fruit=Large husk containing 2 shiny brown edible nuts.

Additional Images

Resources and Citations

  • Alden Identification Services, Microscopic Wood Identification: Link
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
  • Virginia Tech Dendrology website at www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 8, 2005)
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  • Gordon Hanlon, contributed information, 1998

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