WINTER ’43: “The winter of 1843 was remarkable for its unusual
mildness during the month of January, as well as for its great
severity later in the season. In January, it was as warm as it
ordinarily is in the month of May.”

We quote from a history of Cameron County taken from a regional
history that dates back to the late 1890s. Our thanks to Wayne
Buchanan for sharing it with us.

To continue: “The grass grew to the height of 4 or 5 inches.
Some plowed their corn land, and many, foolishly supposing the
winter was past, threw away their fodder. In February, it changed
to cold and snow, continuing to increase in severity all through
that month as well as March.”

“On the 13th of April, the snow about Emporium was so deep that
it would reach to a man’s vest pockets in walking through it. On
the 14th, it melted a little, and by the 20th, it was all gone.

“During the last 46 years, there have been very few complaints
of climate. The beautiful valleys and picturesque hills are in
themselves guardians of the weather, as well as of the health,
insuring to the inhabitants an atmosphere under which the young may
attain the highest physical state, and the old may prolong their
days.”

THE BEECH: The Bureau of Forestry, Elk State Forest, tells us
the American beech is March’s “tree of the month.”

This tree grows to an average height of 60 or more feet tall and
is found throughout Pennsylvania but is more prevalent in the
north. This tree lives both on moist and dry sites. The leaves are
egg shaped, 3-4 inches in size and coarsely toothed. They turn
brown in the fall and may persist on the tree through the winter.
The twigs are slender and gray. The fruit is a prickly 4-valved bur
containing a triangular brown nut.

The beech tree is beneficial to wildlife, and many animals eat
its fruit.

Its wood is used in furniture but it is used for its sturdiness
not beauty and often covered. The wood is also used for tool
handles, fuel and pulpwood.