During summer, it’s easy to overlook beech trees. They are just a part of the ubiquitous green of the growing season. But this time of year, when leaves are absent from most other trees, the doeskin-colored leaves give us some much appreciated color here on the peninsula.
A naturalist colleague often remarks that the trunks of beech trees resemble elephant legs. But that smooth grey bark is thin and not particularly insulating. Beech trees sort of peter out west of Green Bay. Botanists speculate that away from the tempered Lake Michigan climate, beech bark does not offer enough protection for winter survival. Protective or not, I think the smooth grey bark is absolutely striking against the blue winter sky (when we have one). I also appreciate the warmth of beech wood. It burns hot and clean in the wood stove and it smells nice too.
In short, I adore beech trees, so I was delighted to discover a bit of trivia. I read that the first pages of European literature were written on the smooth bark of beech. In fact, the word “book” comes from the Anglo Saxon “boc” meaning a letter or a character which, in turn, comes from the ancient word for beech.
Admittedly, European Beech is not quite the same as our native species, but it’s darn close. So this month, while beech wood warms my little house in the small woods, as I curl up to celebrate the Door County Big Read by reading, I will cherish the ideas that the amazingly beautiful and complex English language had its roots on the bark of a tree.
The Big Read is celebrated throughout Door County, but Crossroads is proud to host the Big Read Keynote Speech on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00. Frederick “Doc” Heide, locally known as co-founder and performer with American Folklore Theatre (AFT), will combine his love of music and psychology and share “What the Heart is Hunting For: A Psychological Perspective.” Tutti Strings” Classical Trio will provide music that evening. The trio features Lori Meyer, Certified String Teacher (as 2nd violin), and two of her advanced students: Cassandra Renfrew, a junior from Sturgeon Bay High School (1st violin), and Jacob Blazkovec, a junior from Algoma High School (cello). Nanette Anschutz will be the sign language interpreter for the program. Susan Guthrie of Bluefront Café in Sturgeon Bay will provide delicious treats for the evening. All are welcome at this Free Program.
