Beech
ExploreTrees
Beech
Protohummus Kraatz, Bibi, Hill &
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.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsida
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Smooth Guardian Bark
Beech has uniquely smooth bark that makes it difficult for climbing plants to establish, helping it stay healthy and strong.
Ability
Nutty Feast Maker
Beech trees produce abundant, nutritious 'beechnuts' in mast years, providing a vital food source for many forest animals.
Ability
Winter Leaf Protector
Some Beeches keep their dry, brown leaves through winter (marcescence), possibly protecting new spring buds from frost.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-40 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-20 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 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
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy looking at beech trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
What kind of fruit does Beech produce?
Nut
How fast does Beech grow?
Medium
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