This Winter has been a pleasant one so far with beautiful snow, consistently chilly weather, and a renewed prioritization of art. I’ve had a nice time balancing my time between rough sketches, watercolor, and even some oil, and botanical art in particular has been something I can chip away at a little here and there whenever I have some time.
Botanical art is very technique based, and I definitely have some practicing to do! This Beech leaf painting taught me some good lessons before I decided it was time to move on.
The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a climax species, which means it’s typically found in mature forests. As a late-succession species, it tolerates shade fairly well and will persist as a seedling or sapling for years. When a gap in the canopy opens, the extra light provides the young Beech with enough light for a growth spurt.
Like their cousins the Oaks (Quercus spp.), Beeches have mast years and will produce large amounts of nuts every several years. These nuts are important food for wildlife, such as white-footed mice and the now-extinct passenger pigeon. Humans can eat these nuts too, and I have fond memories of collecting buckets of Beechnuts from the large Beech in my grandparents’ backyard as a kid. These trees can get quite big and can live up to 400 years, and being in the vicinity of an Old Beech is a very nice feeling.
The American Beech is currently threatened due to a nematode which infects the tree’s buds and damages the leaves. The origin of this nematode is not known, but the consequences are dire. It spreads by wind, humidity, and rain and typically causes death within 2 to 10 years following infection. There are some promising treatments available, but they are expensive and require a knowledgeable arborist. Without this treatment, mortality can be assumed.
Beeches are special trees that serve an important role in mature Northeastern forests, and their loss will have serious consequences for forest composition. Research into mitigating this disease is underway, but if you have a Beech tree near you who is dying, be sure to replace it with a native plant of equal value, such as an oak or hickory.
Painting botanical specimens from life forces you to observe them closely. It felt like the perfect way to honor the American Beech.
Further Reading:
E376: Beech Leaf Disease & Management Options (Rutgers NJAES)
