Two mighty trees grew up next to each other in the forest. One was a beech and the other a birch. Last spring a new tree sprouted and grew up between them. They argued as to who was the parent. The birch tree said that as handsome as it was, it must be the son of a birch. The beech tree argued that as tall and strong as it had become, it must be the son of a beech. They argued all summer over the saplings heritage. A woodpecker came along and the two old trees asked him to settle the argument, since woodpeckers are a good judge of trees. The woodpecker agrees and flies down and pecks on the sapling a little while, then flies back up. So, who's son is it asked the father trees in unison? The woodpecker responded, well I have bad news, first it is not a son of a beech, nor is it a son of a birch, it is a female tree. Second, it did not come from either of you fine trees. But, it is the sweetest young piece of ash that I've ever put my pecker in.