Fagus sylvatica - Beech
Beech trees are attractive throughout the year. In early spring their red,
pointed buds open to reveal bright green leaves, which darken through May,
June and July. These majestic trees often retain their leaves long after
they have turned from green to brown, and beech hedges are therefore also
quite popular. Beech trees can reach a spread of 30 metres and are usually
rather taller than their spread.
Wood from beech trees is used in furniture making,
particularly as chair legs; it is also used for making wooden cooking
utensils.
Many beautiful fungi are mycorhizal (live in cooperative
conjunction with the roots of) beech trees, because the slow-rotting
leaves prevent dense undergrowth from taking over in beech forests.
Beech leaves are a lovely sight in springtime, as they change throiugh
many shades of green. In April and May the flowers appear, and in autumn
the fruits, known as beech mast, ripen and burst to reveal three brown
nuts within each 'mast'.
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