Beech Fagus Sylvatica
Historically, the native Beech only reached as far north as Norfolk, now it can be seen throughout the UK due to it being planted. Many grounds of private estates have large numbers of Beech due to their stately appearance. This distinctive wood is one of most durable and commonly used woods for woodwork.
Conservation status in Norfolk
Widely planted, though some experts believe that the northern limit for native beech trees lies in Norfolk. The beech tree is not believed to be a threatened species.
How to help
Your garden may not be big enough for a tree but why not plant a beech hedge instead? A beech hedge provides colour throughout the year, from bright green in the spring to a fantastic copper brown late into winter. The hedge will also provide food and shelter for many animals.
Beech, David North
Beech leaves, David North
Beech tree, Neville Yardy
Information on the Beech
How to recognise
The beech has a distinctive smooth, silvery-grey bark, and if given enough room to grow can become a very impressive sized tree, forming a strong, dome canopy. The leaves are oval, shiny with a wavy margin. The slender twigs have a zigzag appearance, with winter buds alternately placed along either side. The buds, which are covered in brown scales, are long and narrow and taper to a sharp point. The tree produces triangular nuts (also known as masts) which are covered in prickles.
Where to see
Native to only southern Britain, including South Wales it has however been introduced to many parts of Britain. In Norfolk, Felbrigg Hall has a wonderful beech woodland and is particularly spectacular in autumn as the beech leaves begin to change colour.
When to see
In April the buds burst to reveal bright pale-green leaves, which darken as they age. Catkins also appear in April, with the beech mast forming in summer. In October the beech mast turns brown and eventually splits to reveal two seeds. Beech trees in late autumn and early winter have beautiful richly coloured orange-brown leaves.
Did you know?
Beech trees may live for 250 to 300 years.
Related questions
What trees are best for wildlife?
Native trees are much better than non-native trees for attracting wildlife to your garden. This is because native trees house a wider variety of invertebrates, which in turn attract mammals and birds. Trees with lots of interesting features such as dead branches, splits, and hollows support the widest range of invertebrates, so try not to ‘tidy up’ trees unless they are unsafe.
Different trees will attract different species. Acorns from oak trees will attract squirrels, jays and woodpigeons. Cones from alder trees attract goldfinches. Dense trees such as yew and holly provide good habitat for greenfinches. Beech trees attract tits and chaffinches, but few insects. Berries from rowan and ash will attract many bird species. Willow trees host more than 90 species of moth caterpillar, which in turn will attract bats. Birch trees attract many species of birds, insects and caterpillars. Treecreepers nest in large, mature trees with loose bark, while hollow branches provide perfect habitat for tawny owls.
What are the best species to put in a wildlife hedge?
Any hedge is beneficial to wildlife but a mix of evergreen and deciduous planting is good with plants that have autumn berries. Some suggestions could be holly, hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple and beech. Thick hedges and thorny hedges provide the best protection for nesting birds and cover at the base of the hedge such as long grasses may encourage hedgehogs and small mammals.
Surveying woodlands – How can I tell if my tree is ancient?
Use survey form m
As a guideline, if the girth of your tree is
greater than the following measurements, it is likely to be an ancient tree:
Species
|
Girth |
Hawthorn
Field maple, rowan
Alder, ash, beech
Lime, oak, sycamore
Sweet chestnut, yew |
2.5m
3m
5m
5.5m
6m |
NB: The girth of the tree trunk is measure at 1.5m from the ground, all the way around the trunk.
Surveying woodlands