Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
History
The beech was a late arrival to Great Britain after the last glaciation. It was likely introduced by Neolithic tribes who planted the trees for their edible nuts.
Religion
The Romans had sacred beech groves dedicated to Jupiter and Diana, the goddess of animals and the hunt.
Symbolism
In Britain, the beech is sometimes called “the queen of the woods”. In Celtic mythology, Fagus was the god of beech trees.
Habitat
Beech trees are found in deciduous woodlands and are widely planted for hedging. They are intolerant of excessive stagnant water and prefer moderately fertile, calcified or lightly acidic ground
They are incredibly efficient at trapping light, so very little grows in their shade.
Often confused with hornbeam, their oval, waxy leaves reveal a fluffy margin when held up to the light. Before they break, these leaves are rolled tightly in long, sharp, brown buds, the scales of which often remain on the tree throughout the growing season.
Beech tends to self-pollard and drop long lateral branches, an occurrence termed ‘summer branch drop syndrome. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid camping under these trees during calm, still days, which is when this is most likely to occur. Their historic use mostly took advantage of the toughness of the wood.Although not long lasting outdoors, beechwood has been used traditionally in the manufacture of desks and kitchen surfaces. From a bushcraft perspective, beech makes incredibly hot-burning firewood.
Often, the wood can be found in a state of partial decay, with fungal decay lines known as spalting, which can be utilised for attractive craft-work. The tree is another host of the cramp ball fungus – an excellent source of tinder.
Beech trees can live for up to 400 years, and are considered ancient from around 225 years old. Beech pollen is a common allergen.
COMMON BEECH summary
Leaves Ovate to obovate, to 4 in (10 em) long and 2½ in (6 cm) across, abruptly short-pointed, with a wavy margin, untoothed or edged with small teeth, with fewer than ten pairs of veins, silky-hairy when unfolding becoming smooth, glossy dark green above, paler beneath, turning yellow in autumn.
Mature beech leaves are hard and waxy; they have a woolly margin
Bark
Gray, smooth.
Flowers
Small, males yellow, females green, borne in separate clusters on the same plant in mid-spring as the young, pale green leaves emerge.
Fruit
A bristly husk, to 1 in (2.5 cm) long, enclosing one to three small, edible nuts.
The edible fruit of the beech tree, called beechnuts, were a source of food for people and animals. In times of famine, beechnuts were a lifeline for the poor.
• Native Region
Europe.
• HABITAT Woods, particularly on chalk.
By Instructor Vicky Neil