Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE FALL Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener A mong the last deciduous trees to let go of their leaves are the beeches. We have some majestic examples of both European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in Saugus. American beech trees grow wild in the woods at Breakheart Reservation, while the European species is usually planted as a solitary specimen in gardens. Fairly slow to grow, neither beech is an “instant gratification” plant, but they are both quite rewarding and elegant when mature. The large beech at the Saugus Iron Works was once an ornamental tree in the yard of a house on Central Street – then, when the road was changed because of the archeological discoveries in the early 1950’s, the tree remained on what is now the upper lawn area of the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. This tree is a purple foliaged variety of European beech (Fagus sylvatica). During most of the growing season, the leaves are a dark reddish purple, but as November arrives the leaves become lighter greenish for a brief period and then somewhat yellow before they join the maple foliage on the lawn. Anna Spencer, who oversees the grounds maintenance, says this is her favorite plant on the Saugus Iron Works property, A CLOSEUP VIEW: This fall a young European beech at the Saugus Middle-High School shows its wavy edged, leaf shape, an open beechnut husk and the long narrow bud for next year’s leaves. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) THE YOUNG EUROPEAN BEECH at the Saugus Middle-High School has a long future ahead of it, and we can hope that it will be a memorable tree to future students. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) A POPULAR TREE: The old European beech at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has been mentioned by several people as their favorite tree in Saugus. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) and many visitors would certainly agree. The Adirondack chairs under the spreading branches get a lot of use, especially in the summer, when the dark foliage makes the space beneath the tree significantly cooler than sunny portions of the lawn. There is also a picnic table in the tree’s shade where I frequently see people sitting at various times of the year. Even in winter, this tree is outstanding for its shape and its AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia), which is common in Breakheart Reservation, has pointed teeth on the leaf edges, unlike the wavy edges on European beech. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) gray bark, which reminds many people of an elephant. In fall you may be finding beechnuts, or their spiny husks, around the base of the tree, where the small nuts provide food to help sustain wildlife through the winter. European beech trees became WREATHS ON THE DOORS of Cliftondale Congregational Church herald the Christmas season. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) THE LEAVES HANG ON: The large, old European beech at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site still retains some foliage even after Thanksgiving, when most deciduous trees are bare. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) very popular in American gardens in the 19th century. Currently they are not easy to find in nurseries, but Saugus can brag of a new young purple European beech at the new middle-high school – it is near the amphitheater on the high school side of the new middle-high school building. Being young, it doesn’t have the dramatic size and shape of the older trees, but it is mature enough to have produced a few nuts this fall, and it is inspiring to see this young tree at the school when you are familiar with older specimens around town. Elsewhere in Saugus European beeches are more likely to be found near Victorian houses than in more recently built neighborGARDENS | SEE PAGE 13
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