The buds of the common beech tree have a very characteristic shape, just like the leaves of the deciduous tree. They also show that a tree is a European beech before the leaves emerge in spring. Interesting facts about the buds of the European beech.
What do the buds of the European beech tree look like?
Common beech buds are narrow, long pointed, slightly oval and reddish brown. They are up to 2 cm long and are arranged alternately on the tree. Both leaves and inconspicuous flowers sprout from the buds in spring.
This is what the buds of the European beech tree look like
- Bud shape: narrow, long pointed, slightly oval
- Bud length: up to 2 centimeters long
- Arrangement: arranged alternately on the tree
- Color: red brown
The bud is protected by a cover. It consists of small leaves that lie on top of each other like scales. When budding, the scale armor breaks open and leaves and flowers unfold.
Common beech buds are very firmly attached to the branches and can only be pulled off with difficulty.
The buds begin to sprout in spring
The buds of the common beech are planted the previous year. They are easy to recognize because they form small thickenings on the shoots.
The buds begin to sprout in spring. Both the leaves and the inconspicuous flowers sprout from the buds.
The leaves have fully developed by the time the flowering period begins at the end of April.
Only older beeches develop flower buds
Only leaves develop from the buds of young beech trees. It takes up to 20 years for a tree to bear flowers for the first time.
The fruits of the common beech, the slightly poisonous beechnuts, appear even later. A common beech tree is not mature until it is around 40 years old, so it only then forms fruits in which seeds ripen.
Since red beech hedges are often cut, almost exclusively leaves grow from the buds, as the flower buds are removed when they are cut back.
Leave at least three buds when cutting
If you cut the common beech so that it branches well, you must leave three buds on each of the young shoots. The new shoots develop from them. If the buds are cut off, the common beech cannot branch.
Tip
If the terminal buds are at the tip of the shoot, it is definitely a European beech. In the very similar looking hornbeam, the terminal buds are located on the side of the shoot. They are also a bit smaller.