Our January thaw began today and as I rode down the sloshy pavement on Arboretum Drive, I stopped to take in this big American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). You can identify this slow growing, long living tree by its smooth gray bark (some say it looks like an elephant ear) and pale yellow leaves that hang on in winter. Madison is on the edge of the edge of the beech's western range - it is common in Michigan, Ohio, and throughout the northeast. Beeches produce edible nuts that mammals and birds appreciate, but fare poorly in urban soils, which are fairly poor. Head to the Arboretum if you want to see the beech.
No comments:
Post a Comment