No deciduous tree is as common in Germany as the beech. Whether as a common beech, copper beech or weeping beech - the beech is not only planted in forests, but also in parks and large gardens. Beech trees are very popular as hedge plants.
What is a profile about the beech tree?
The beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a deciduous tree native to Europe and can be up to 320 years old and 40 meters high. It is the most common tree species in Germany and is used as a hedge plant and in parks. Beech wood is used for making furniture and as firewood.
The Beech: A Profile
- Botanical name: Fagus sylvatica
- Other names: European beech, copper beech, weeping beech
- Plant family: Beech family
- Occurrence: Europe
- Species: approx. 240
- Age: up to 320 years
- Size: up to 40 meters, occasionally up to 45 meters
- Height growth: approx. 50 cm per year
- Width growth: approximately 35 to 45 cm per year
- Wood: light, slightly reddish, steamed red
- Trunk: up to two meters in diameter
- Bark: initially dark green/black, later silver-gray, smooth, slightly grained
- Roots: heart root with lateral extensions, shallow roots
- Leaves: alternate, ovoid, barely serrated, slightly wavy
- Leaf size: 5 – 11 cm long, 3 – 8 cm wide
- Autumn color: common beech yellow-orange, copper beech red-orange
- Flowers: inconspicuous, monoecious
- Fruits: beechnuts (nuts)
- Harvest time: September – October
- Toxicity: beechnuts slightly poisonous, leaves edible
- Winter hardiness: absolutely hardy
- Use: beech hedges, individual trees in parks and gardens, forest
- Uses of the wood: furniture, toys, industrial wood, firewood
Hornbeams are not beeches
Even though they are often classified as beeches, hornbeams are not beeches, but rather birch trees. Its botanical name is: Carpinus betulus.
Hornbeams have harder, more resilient wood. The care requirements are similar for both tree species.
Beech species in Germany
In Germany only the common beech plays a major role. In addition to the common beech, copper beeches and weeping beeches are also grown.
The name European beech is misleading because the beech tree has green leaves. Only the copper beech can be recognized by its dark red foliage. The beech is called common beech because of the slightly reddish wood. It takes on a red tone under steam.
What are beech trees used for?
Beech trees are often used as hedge plants in the garden. As individual trees, they require a lot of space and are therefore mainly planted in large gardens and parks.
Beech wood is very easy to work with. However, it warps quickly, so it is not used as frequently as industrial wood like hornbeam wood, for example.
Beech trees provide shelter for a variety of insects. The treetops and beech hedges are often used by birds to build nests.
Special features of beech trees
A special feature of the beech makes it a popular hedge plant. The tree tolerates pruning well and often keeps its foliage well into the winter. In some species the leaves only fall off when the beech tree sprouts again. A beech hedge is opaque even in winter, even though it is actually summer green and not evergreen.
Tip
The fruits of the beech tree are called beechnuts. In contrast to the leaves, they are slightly poisonous. In times of need they were still served on the table because the poison can be neutralized by roasting or heating.