European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a stately deciduous tree native to Europe, revered for its smooth grey bark, graceful branching, and dense canopy of lustrous green foliage that turns rich gold to copper in autumn. It has been valued since antiquity for timber, shade, and ornamental use in parks and estates. Its majestic form and seasonal beauty make it a long-lived favourite for large gardens and landscape plantings.
- Flowers: Small, yellow-green, inconspicuous, wind-pollinated; September–October
- Size: Up to 30 m high × 15–20 m wide
- Uses: Large ornamental feature tree, shelterbelts, woodland gardens, avenue planting
- Attributes: Very hardy, frost-tolerant, prefers deep, well-drained soils
- Features: Smooth grey bark; glossy green leaves turning coppery-gold in autumn; triangular beechnuts encased in spiny husks
References include:
Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins.
Mitchell, A. F. (1996). Trees of Britain: A Natural History. HarperCollins.
Royal Horticultural Society (2024)
Images 1&2
Image 2: autumn foliage
