BEECH
Distribution
American beech grows in southeast Canada and in the eastern half of the United States, from Maine to northern Florida, and west from the Atlantic Coast to Wisconsin, Missouri and Texas.
The Tree
The American beech tree grows in large pure stands and intermixed with sugar maple, yellow birch, American basswood, black cherry, eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, red spruce, sweet gum, Southern magnolia, ashes, hickories and oaks. It grows best in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils. American beech trees reach heights of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of almost 4 ft (1.2 m). The bark is thin, smooth, and gray to blue gray.
The Wood
General
The sapwood of American beech is white with a red tinge, while the heartwood is light to dark reddish brown.
Working Properties
American beech ranks high in holding nails, but it should be pre-bored. The wood wears well and holds a polish, and it bends readily when steamed. Care is needed in gluing, but the wood finishes well with paint or transparent finishes.
Durability
Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation
Sapwood and heartwood are permeable when pressure-treated with a compound like creosote. The red heartwood is extremely resistant to penetration.
Uses
Lumber, veneer, charcoal, railroad ties, pulpwood, cooperage, boxes, crates, baskets, pallets, furniture, flooring, sash, doors, trim, paneling, general millwork, woodenware, novelties, handles, brooms and brushes, food containers, turnery, and chemical extracts such as methanol, acetate and wood tar (creosote).
American beech grows in southeast Canada and in the eastern half of the United States, from Maine to northern Florida, and west from the Atlantic Coast to Wisconsin, Missouri and Texas.
The Tree
The American beech tree grows in large pure stands and intermixed with sugar maple, yellow birch, American basswood, black cherry, eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, red spruce, sweet gum, Southern magnolia, ashes, hickories and oaks. It grows best in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils. American beech trees reach heights of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of almost 4 ft (1.2 m). The bark is thin, smooth, and gray to blue gray.
The Wood
General
The sapwood of American beech is white with a red tinge, while the heartwood is light to dark reddish brown.
Working Properties
American beech ranks high in holding nails, but it should be pre-bored. The wood wears well and holds a polish, and it bends readily when steamed. Care is needed in gluing, but the wood finishes well with paint or transparent finishes.
Durability
Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation
Sapwood and heartwood are permeable when pressure-treated with a compound like creosote. The red heartwood is extremely resistant to penetration.
Uses
Lumber, veneer, charcoal, railroad ties, pulpwood, cooperage, boxes, crates, baskets, pallets, furniture, flooring, sash, doors, trim, paneling, general millwork, woodenware, novelties, handles, brooms and brushes, food containers, turnery, and chemical extracts such as methanol, acetate and wood tar (creosote).