There was so firm a belief among Indians that a beech tree was proof against lightening, that on the approach of a thunder-storm they took refuge under its branches with full assurance of safety. This belief seems to have been adopted by the early settlers of this country and it is very common to hear a farmer say, "A beech is never struck by lightening." This popular belief has recently had scientific verification. As a result of careful experiments it has been found that the beech really does resist the electric current much more vigorously than the oak, poplar or willow. The general conclusion from a series of experiments is that trees "poor in fat" like the oak, willow, poplar, maple, elm and ash oppose much less resistance to the electric current than tress "rich in fat" like the beech, chestnut, linden and birch. Of course varying conditions modify the practical working of these facts, but the Indians' conclusion was well founded. | Source: Keeler, Harriet L. Our Native Trees and How to Identify Them. 3rd ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1902. 383. Print.Download Original File
Source
Keeler, Harriet L. Our Native Trees and How to Identify Them. 3rd ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1902. 383. Print.
"The Beech Trees of Brecksville Reservation" appears in: Harriet Keeler
