American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

The smooth grey bark of this tree is often a target for pocketknife grafitti, but luckily this one is largely untouched. Peeking out of the edge of the woods on this road, the broad leaves absorb what sunlight it can from its spot below the tall oaks. Having grown this tall and thick, must men the strategy is working for this normally sun-thriving decidous tree.