the gray birch, except that its color is dark gray. See Fig. 51. The
twigs have an aromatic taste.

[Illustration: FIG. 54.--Trunk of Blue Beech.]

[Illustration: FIG. 55.--Bark of the Ironwood.]

The _yellow birch_ (_Betula lutea_) has a yellowish or golden bark
which constantly peels in thin, ragged, horizontal films.

The _European white birch_ (_Betula alba_) has a dull-white bark
like the native white birch, but has smooth terminal twigs instead
of rough ones. It is commonly seen in the United States on lawns and
in parks.


AMERICAN BEECH (_Fagus americana_)

Distinguishing characters: The *close-fitting, smooth, gray bark* will
tell this tree from all others except the red maple and yellow-wood.
See Fig. 52. The red maple may then be easily eliminated by noting
whether the branches are alternate or opposite. They are alternate
in the beech and opposite in the maple. The yellow-wood may be
eliminated by noting the size of the bud. The *bud* in the
yellow-wood is hardly noticeable and of a golden yellow color, while
that of the beech is very *long, slender, and sharp-pointed*, and
chestnut brown in color. See Fig. 53.

Form and size: It grows tall in the woods, but on the open lawn spreads
out into a massive, round-headed tree.