Easily confused with a European beech, the American beech can be distinguished by its spiky fruits, found singly or in twos or threes (whereas the fruits of the European beech are found only singly on the branches). Both beech trees have beautiful, smooth grey bark, somewhat reminiscent of an elephant’s skin. These trees trace their roots to the tropics, and the smooth skin helped keep the trees from becoming covered in epiphytes, clinging plants commonly known as "air plants." As the trees grow, their bark sheds particles, almost like sawdust, rather than creating plates or furrows like so many other trees. American beeches reproduce most readily by sending up saplings from their roots, therefore some stands of beech contain almost entirely genetically identical trees. Don't miss the beautiful golden color of the American beech in fall.