A
dominant tree found on chaulk soils in the south
of england but also all over northern europe. Dense
shade restricts the ground flora but many funghi
are asssociated with Beech. Makes a good hedge,
was previously pollarded but is rarely coppiced.
Confused with native Hornbeam and other introduced
species.
NATIVE
- Common on well drained soils. Trunk attains large
girth. Bark: unfissured, grey - rather like elephant
hide. Often buttressed and stained with green algae.
TIMBER -
Pink-brown, dark flecked, fine grained. Strong,
hard. Not durable outside.
TWIG
- Slender, purple-brown with lenticels, slightly
hairy. Zig-zag growth form.
BUDS
- Long slender pointed; all in one plane. Many overlapping
scales.
LEAVES
- Ovate, short-pointed. Emerge soft, pale green
and hairy with a pair of brown stipules at the short
petiole base. Later glossy above with 5-8prs of
parallel side veins ending in undulations or short
teeth. Yellow to red-brown in autumn. Leaves retained
on young trees and pruned hedges.
FLOWERS
- As the leaves emerge. Short thick, hairy stalks
bear 4 green, cup like bristly bracts with protruding
crimson styles. Separate clusters of golden anthers
om pendulous stalks.
FRUIT
- Bracts turn brown and open to reveal 2 or 3 brown
nuts, shaped like elongated pyramids.
USES
-Furniture including legs and bentwood backs of
chairs; toys, rolling pins, wooden spoons, parquet
floors.
*Special thanks
to Patrick Harding and Gill Tomblin for their help
with this feature.
