Just a stroll through our backyard: The Great Beech Nut Tree

Here is another great find in our backyard. After some research we found what appears to be one of the largest BeechNut trees around here and maybe in Georgia. We know that the Native Americans used BeechNut trees for several different things which make it all the more interesting to us being that we have several Indian Trail Trees around that are made from BeechNut. Some have markings and we always find arrow heads close to the trees.

The beech is a large tree—60 to 80 feet-high—with (ours is much larger and is at least 120-130 feet tall) smooth gray bark and oval leaves. It's a familiar part of the hardwood forest and also a popular shade and ornamental species. Very handsome it is, too, especially in the fall when the foliage turns gold or dark copper. Beeches are found from southern Canada to east Texas and south to Florida, but bear more nuts in the northern part of their range.

The hard, strong wood of the beech is made into tool handles, shoe lasts, woodenware, veneer and inexpensive furniture. The inner bark has been dried, ground and used for flour in lean times. Mattresses used to be stuffed with the leaves, which are springy and last for several seasons.

The tree bears small, four-part, bristly burrs that ripen around October and open to reveal two triangular nuts. The kernels are tiny, but sweet and nourishing. Roasted and ground, they're said to make a pleasing coffee substitute.