Beech

-the biggest beech tree in the cemetery-

Beech

Even completely leafless, the beeches are beautiful. This one was drying off after a morning rain...

and this one was starting to get covered in snow earlier today.

Beech

Beeches are easy to fall in love with.

The canopies are full and round, with purple --almost black-- leaves where constantly exposed to the sun,

but the trunks are their main draw.

Something about them evokes elephant legs: the authority with which they grip the ground,

the way the bark wrinkles and folds,

their unreserved size...

Vista Avenue is lined with beeches, so tree (and pachyderm) lovers visiting Green-Wood should be sure to take this route. (The weeping beeches on Larch are also a sight).

Weeping Beech

To get a European beech weeping, just add "pendula" to the end of its name.

The leaves of Fagus sylvatica pendula are just like those of its non-weeping counterpart.

Not only are the branches pendulous, they are slightly contorted.

The cemetery has many weeping beeches, but the most enchanting one hangs over Larch Avenue.

To continue up the road, you have to walk (or drive) under the canopy.