Beech

Beech is a large tree whose bark is gray and smooth, leaves are glossy, and timber is hard, pale, and fine-grained. Beechnuts, its fruits, are important source of food for numerous wild birds and mammals. It belongs to the genera Fagus and Notofagus. Fagus is found in the north temperate zone and Notofagus is found in Australasia and South America. The beeches of the genus Notofagus are collectively called the southern beeches. The tree belongs to the family Fagaceae. Many species of beeches are found. Most common among them are American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and the European beech (Fagus sylvatica).