BEECH TREES

Green Beech, a popular woodland tree, tall and majestic, reaching heights of 40m, when coppiced can live up to a 1,000 years.

Green Beech can be observed in Spring because of its bright lime green leaves, which are stalked, oval with wavy margins and fine hairs when new, losing them later when mature. The leaves will remain on the tree when coppiced and turn a golden russet brown.

Green Beech is monoecious, with both male and female flowers, the male catkins hang from stalks, tassel shaped yellow and brown edged, and the female flowers grow in pairs, surrounded by a cup. They mature into bristly four lobed seed cases, edible but bitter tasting. 

Green Beech grows on drier, free draining any type of soils, including chalk.

Green Beech woodland attracts butterflies, provide food for caterpillars, voles, mice and squirrels. Older Beech woodlands are home to hole dwelling birds and wood boring insects.

Green Beech is a popular hedging plant, when clipped retains its leaves, and provides a good cover for garden birds.

Green Beech trees are extremely hardy, but do not like drought like or dry ground, so avoid planting in a tarmac area.

Beech wood is excellent long burning wood. The bark is thin and scars easily, the wood is used commercially for furniture and flooring.

The floor of a Beech woodland discourages growth because of the dense carpet of fallen leaves and husks.

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