Common Beech
- Species:
Fagus sylvatica,
- Family: Fagaceae
- Origin: Europe
- Common Name: Beech
- Mature Height: - m.
the Common Beech,
is native to Europe,
including
southern Britain. It is not native to Scotland but has been widely
planted and has self sown. Together with the oak, the beech belongs to
the Fagaceae. This is a majestic tree of estates and parks but little
grows beneath its dense canopy. It is, of course, widely used as a
hedging plant and, due to the continual clipping, the plants remain
juvenile thus causing the leaves to be retained overwinter. As a tree
it yields a very important timber used in furniture making, for tools
and for veneers. The good mast (seed) years occur about every 5 years
and are an important food for the woodland dwellers
