THE BEECH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 10

THE BEECH.

Next to the oak the beech is held in highest estimation among the hard woods of Britain. Tho uses to which it is applied are many and varied. The bandies of carpenters' tools are made very extensively from it, tho wheel and cartwright use it in large quantities ; for carved work, making blocks and letters for print works, it is m constant demand; articles of household furniture put it under contribution, but for house-building and fittings it ia not adapted. It is a small genus of plants represented by two or three European aud North American species and several Antarctic, American, China, New Zealand, aud Tasnaanian ones. The distribution is rath&r curious — not indigenous to Ireland, rarely if e\er found in Scotland as endemic, it is plentiful in Kngland, particularly in the southern counties; it is now, however, grown everywhere, and thrives amazingly. In like manner, while our colony has it growing naturally in abundance and Tasmania has a good phare, it is absolutely unknown amongst the Australian forests. Among our flora there are several welldefined species, to a number of which reference will bo made. To the great majority of bushmen and cottiers it is popularly known as birch, and little wonder suoh a mistake should occui-, as its email foliage leads to that conclusion, and indoed some botanists actually ai range it with the Betulina. The name Fatrus, the beech, was given to the genus by Linnaeus, and to the species by less notable 'men as the plants were discovered. Our nuti\cs are very alike in habit and appearance, so a general description will suffice, rc-sei\ing specialties for after reference. All agree that our beeches are very handsome tree?, fitted to adorn any ground policy, ttudded hither and thither to give offect as the landscape gardener may deviso. They are aU-o well suited for single specimens or [or street decoration where that idea, is carried out. One exceptional recommendation they possess over our 6tately pines and other trees — they are rapid growers and suit themselves to different locations. It is true tho Home beech is more pretentious in appearance — the long, stout, spreading branches draw universal attention. Perhaps this feature in our tribe has not yet had room for development, inasmuch as the Home trees aro under cultivation, growing in rows or wide apart, where plenty space is afforded to spread out tlveir limbs as fancy may give tho inspiration. With us hitherto they have been crowded together, occupying large areas all their own, growing regardless of symmeliy. each aspirin « to tho greater height, and this reaches 100 ft. with boles or trunks corresponding in girth. One great difference obtains between the beech of the Old Country and ours. There the tree is deciduous, shedding its leaves with every fall of the season, and which in daya of yore were eagerly gathered and dried to make a mattress to sleep on, and many a harder and more uncomfortable one exi<=teJ. Here the trees aro evergreen, persistent, and in bleak winter cheer the eye and rouse fresh hopo by their verdant leaves that the end is not yet. The liPecTi prows plentifully in mnny districts of NV»w Zea^nnd. from pea level up to thousands of feet altitude, and the first claiming notice i 3 FAGUS MEXZIESII, known as the birch in Otago, elsewhere as red birch. Confusion is apt to ri«e from the designation given to the different varieties. This la unavoidable. Recently it has been proposed to avoid the confusion hv das">iva them as entire and senate leaved. This will not answer the purpose, as specimens of the two leaves are reported fiom t'lo same tree, which may ha\o l>epn one of Nature's frolic 3 or want of discrimination on tho part of the recorder, so better stick to the old names. !

Monziesii exists in !arc;e fnrppts on the western slopes from Lalo-* Wanaka to the =oaboard and is also common on tho east. Tho merits of thi-> and fcho other hcvhe? have not yet be<-n prov^r'y tf^tod for the reason that the- gum« of T^rronia ami N<nv South Wale- nve> prruluc« cl so cL^anlv nnJ fieely for enokes and treads of wheels that

our beech has not yet had a chance of proving its equality.

FAGUS FTJSOA, so named by Hooker from its iron-rusted appearance, is for the present considered of most value commercially and industrially. In Otago it is known as the "black birch." It has the character of boing the most valuable of all the family. Here, again, the fact comes in that more experience is wanted. It will not do to deprecate one to elevate another, so time will decide.

FAGUS BLAIRH might be noted as another instance of great significance. The tree has been named after W. N. Blair, the engineer who, after Paterson, carried out our railway system both in the North and South Islands, first for the Provincial Government of Otago, then as engineer-in-ohief for the New Zealand Government. Like the others, it has to work out its own destiny, and if superlative merits accrue by all means let them be enjoyed. Without any desire to abridge or hide the merits of other members of the family, and without extending

BEECH-OLOGT too much, it may be stated the early Maori made the beech mast an article of substantial diet. This may have developed him co well and handsome. The same may be said of ancient England, where the populace also subsisted on the mast, of necessity striving with tho swine for preference. Some Maori legends will appear regarding the beech, and how it got its various names from these knowing old fellows will appear in our next. Meanwhile we quote, regarding the English beech, a writer: — "A large tree, growing from 50 to 80 feet high, with spreading branches and very smooth, grey bark. It is considered in England one of the most useful and perhaps the most beautiful of woodland trees, and one of the few trees whose features arc so marked that the artist has no difficulty in transferring it to canvas and making it recognisable. Gilpin, however, says the skeleton of the beech ia knolled and irregular in its trunk ; the branches, fantastically wreathed and disproporlional, turning awkwardly among each other, and running often into long, unvaried lines without any of tho strength or firmness admirable in the oak, or of that pleasing simplicity noticeable in the ash. Authorities differ materially in opinions, and these disputed points need not enter into our estimate. The beech has a great and glorious history attached to it. At Jerusalem Pliny says a grove of these treea was planted aud consecrated to the goddess Diana, and one of the trees was of such surpassing beauty that a great eastern monarch, Papionus, was deKghted to repose beneath its shade and frequently poured wine on its roots, often embracing it. The finest beech trees in Britain are eaid to grow in Hampshire, and there is a curious legend respecting those in the forest of St. Leonard, where he had his abode, and he was particularly fond of reposing under their shade ; but when he did so the saint was so annoyed during the day by viper and at night by the singing of the nightingale, he prayed they might be rej moved, and such was the efficacy of his ; prayer that since that time in that forest ! The viper has ne'er been known to sting j Or tho nightingale e'e* heard t» sing. | Poets have been loud in their praises from Shakespeare downwards ; lovers make its shade a regular trysting place, and carve their names on. its trunk. Campbell became very rapturous in its celebration, and in one of his poems says : 1 And on my trunk's surviving frerae Carved many a lorjß-forcrotten name. Oh ! by the vows of gentle sound First breathed upon this snered "round; By all that love hath v.-hist>ered here. Or beauty heard with ravished ear, As Love's own altar honour me! Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree! The beech in England grows to a great pize. I. M. I.