Fagus grandifolia

going underground…

There is a fungal network of Armillaria ostoye in Oregon that covers an estimated 2200 acres below ground. The fruits from such an organism appear in sporadic places above ground as mushrooms, stars in a massive galaxy of tentacle like rizomorphs that compete under the soil surface for water and nutrients. There are simply so many things happening that our eyes can not see. In some ways it is better not to see, but rather to imagine this vast network of the Honey mushroom taking over entire states. There are, however, of course other competitors. The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) might be one. In variable fashion, this tree takes over huge tracts of land by sending out suckers; new trees born from the root system that are all connected as one organism. The clonal colony of Quaking Aspens in Utah named “Pando” is estimated at 47,000 stems (trees) covering 43 hectares with an average stem age of 130 years. The collection of stems are all born from one genetic individual.

American Beech (Fagus grandiflora) has its own strategy. This copper beauty uses allelopathy which is difficult to remember word that means it releases biomolecules into the soil that inhibit the growth of other plants. By doing so, the Beech trees are able thrive with limited competition. The result is limited but beautiful expanses of copper colored leaves dominating an otherwise leafless hardwood forest view. Why the American Beech tree is able to hold its leaves longer than others, I can’t say I know, but under and above, they are working hard to gain valuable ground… even without a super Tuesday to await.