Beech trees are pretty amazing. There are several species worldwide, but the European beech steals the spotlight in much of Europe. With its smooth gray bark, short trunk, and sweeping branches, this tree is a standout in Belgium"s forests, as shown in today"s image. It grows in temperate regions and prefers well-drained, fertile soils, taking up to 30 years to mature. Not only do these 160-foot-tall trees dominate the landscape, but their wood is also used to make some of the sturdiest furniture, flooring, and even kitchen tools.
European beech forest, Belgium
Today in History
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Land ho in New Zealand 250 years ago
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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
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National Napping Day
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Celebrating Labor Day
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Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
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Birds of a feather flocking together
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Vietnam’s new bridge deserves a big hand
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Polar bear season in Manitoba
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Whatever floats your boat
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Happy Pi Day!
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Borrego Badlands
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Global commerce in motion
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A march toward a dream
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Riding the bore tide at Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet, Alaska
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Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
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A stunning national park in winter white
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A gentle wind fills this sail
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Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
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Tafilalet oasis in Morocco
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Cinco de Mayo
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The monsoon arrives in the desert
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It s time for spring
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Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada
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Let s ride! It s Roller Coaster Day
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Corona Arch near Moab, Utah
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Yarn for Distaff Day
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Via Krupp, Capri, Italy
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European hedgehog in Sussex, England
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A stroll above the stratosphere
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Women s suffrage at 100