American Beech

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). The genus Fagus is composed of eight species native to Asia, Europe and North America. All species are identical at the cellular level, microscopically. Fagus grandifolia is native to southeast Canada and the eastern half of the United States. The trees reach heights of 120 ft with diameters of over 3 ft. with a bark that is thin, smooth, and gray. Fagus grandifolia has white sapwood and the heartwood is a light reddish brown, darkening through time. Fagus grandifolia works well with most tools under most applications.

It is used for baskets, boxes, brooms and brushes, charcoal, chemical extracts (acetate, methanol, and wood tar-creosote), cooperage, crates, doors, flooring, food containers, furniture, general millwork, handles, lumber, novelties, pallets, paneling, pulpwood, railroad ties, window sashes, trim, turnery, veneer and woodenware (spoons, etc.).

http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/techsheets/HardwoodNA/pdf_files/fagusmet.pdf

Characteristics found in the Beech (Fagus sp.)

• Diffuse Porous
• Tyloses
• Simple perforations
• I/V pits large to linear
• Wide rays (>15 seriate) & homocellular to heterocellular
• Crystals in rays and axial parenchyma

WOOD SLIDES
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CHARCOAL SLIDES