1 November 2023
You possibly can inform a tree by its nuts: American beech
In the event you discover a small spiny capsule on the forest flooring that opens to disclose two to a few nuts (on this case two are properly packed collectively) you’ve discovered beechnuts. With out even trying up you might be certain you’re close to an American beech (Fagus grandifolia).
The fruit [of Fagus grandifolia] is a triangle-shaped shell containing 2–3 nuts inside, however lots of them don’t fill in, particularly on solitary timber. Beech nuts are candy and nutritious, might be eaten uncooked by wildlife and people, or might be cooked. They can be roasted and floor right into a espresso substitute.
Beechnuts might be eaten uncooked? Properly, it’s sophisticated. Foraging Beech Nuts explains that it’s greatest to let the capsules dry out for 2-3 weeks after which cook dinner the nuts as a result of some folks get throat irritation from the uncooked seed coating.
In Pittsburgh’s parks beechnuts might be onerous to search out as a result of they’re so well-liked with deer and squirrels. Searching for a beech with out trying up? Right here’s one other clue.
Beech drops (Epifagus virginiana) are parasitic on beech tree roots so in the event you see these properly camouflaged vegetation you’re positively close to an American beech. Examine them at On The Beech.
Trying up at American beech timber this month you’ll see brown beech leaves clinging to the branches.
The trunk has clean grey bark.
And on the finish of winter, small American beeches have pale, rattling leaves that make them stand out within the forest.
All of the beechnuts will probably be eaten or hidden by the top of winter.
p.s. In the event you’re my age you in all probability keep in mind Beech-Nut chewing gum. Had been there beech nuts in it? No, that was the identify of the corporate. The gum’s declare to fame was its peppery peppermint zing.
No matter occurred to the sweet? The sweet division of Beech-Nut went defunct in 1976. Learn in regards to the Beech-Nut firm right here.
(images by Kate St. John aside from the beech drops picture by Scott Zona through Flickr Inventive Commons license)
