Beech

Fagus

Beech trees are tall and strong with smooth gray bark. Their leaves are shiny and turn golden in the fall. Beech trees provide homes for birds and squirrels.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Beech is known for its strikingly smooth, pale grey bark that often remains uncracked even on old trees. It has distinctive cigar-shaped, pointed reddish-brown winter buds and oval, slightly wavy-edged leaves that turn a brilliant golden-bronze in autumn.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyFagaceaeGenusFagus

Photo: Rebecca Gimenez HustedCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

Beech

Interesting facts

Ancient people sometimes ground beechnuts into flour to make bread, especially during lean times.

Beech trees communicate through their roots using a 'wood wide web' of fungi, sharing nutrients!

Look closely at the buds! Beech buds are famously long, narrow, and pointed, like tiny cigars.

The word 'book' comes from an old word for beech, as early writing tablets were made from its wood!

Special abilities

Beech has uniquely smooth bark that makes it difficult for climbing plants to establish, helping it stay healthy and strong.

Beech trees produce abundant, nutritious 'beechnuts' in mast years, providing a vital food source for many forest animals.

Some Beeches keep their dry, brown leaves through winter (marcescence), possibly protecting new spring buds from frost.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-40 m
Spread: 10-20 m
Edible: Yes
Size: 50-150 cm
Lifespan: 150-300 years
Fruit Type: Nut
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

Eats

Grey Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

eats beechnuts

Eats

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

forages for fallen beechnuts

Symbiotic with

Beech Milkcap

Lactarius blennius

forms mycorrhizal associations with roots

Eaten by

Red Deer

Cervus elaphus

browses on young leaves and shoots

Traits

Mycorrhizal

This trait describes a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant, benefiting both organisms.

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Nut Bearing

Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Also known as

Fagus Beech

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at beech trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Beech?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Beech?

20-40 m

How wide does Beech spread?

10-20 m

Is Beech edible?

Yes

How big is Beech?

50-150 cm

How long does Beech live?

150-300 years

Where is Beech usually found?

Forests