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Identifying Beech - Fagus sylvatica
Beautiful, stately trees (up to 40m high). In some parts of the country, they have been extensively used in hedge laying. Check for rot where the crown forks.
Leaf
Simple leaves that are longer than they are wide (pointed ovals). They have between 5 and 9 pairs of veins. At the end of each vein, there is a small tooth on the wavy leaf margin. Young leaves have an almost corrugated or ribbed appearance - see photo. The leaves are arranged alternately along the twigs. When the leaves are first formed, they are a light green colour but gradually darken. Likewise, initially there are small hairs on the margin and underside of the leaf but these are lost as the leaf matures.
Buds, Bark and Stem
Long pointed buds, set at an angle from the twig/stem. Quite long (and big in relation to the stem/twig), sometimes described as copper coloured, & cigar shaped. Young twigs have a slight zig-zag appearance. The twigs may retain dead leaves throughout winter (which makes beech good for hedging). Beeches have a smooth grey bark; some develop criss-crossing ridges with age.
Flowers and Fruits
Yellowish-green small flowers which appear as the leaves unfurl from the buds. The fruit that forms from them is ‘beechmast’. This consists of green prickly husks that contain shiny brown nuts. As the husk dries, it splits releasing the nuts.
Winter Twigs
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