It's not for nothing that beech trees are the most common deciduous trees in Germany. The foliage has beautiful autumn colors and the wood can be used in many ways. Special features and characteristics of beech.
What special features does the beech have?
Special features of the beech include its reddish wood color, the beautiful autumn color of the leaves, the fact that the leaves stick to the tree for a long time, the smooth and light gray trunk and its good tolerance to cutting. Beech leaves are edible and have healing properties, while beechnuts are poisonous.
Why are beeches also called European beeches?
The foliage of the common beech is green. The name common beech comes from the fact that the wood has a slightly reddish color. If it is steamed, the red tone is created, which is particularly valued in furniture making.
Beautiful autumn color of the beech leaves
Beech trees sprout light green in spring. The foliage shows a rich green color in summer. The foliage of copper beech is even dark red or green-red. In autumn the leaves change color to a very bright yellow-orange on common beech trees and to a red-orange on copper beech trees.
Beech leaves hang on the tree for a very long time
Many beech species keep their leaves for a very long time, even though they are deciduous trees. The leaves often hang on the tree until new growth occurs in spring before they fall to the ground.
This special feature makes the beech a popular hedge plant because it is still opaque even in winter.
Characteristics of the beech trunk
- Bark initially dark green-black, later silver-gray
- Trunk slightly grained
- Bark only slightly cracked
- Bark crumbles and falls off as dust
There are a few features that make the beech trunk distinctive. In beech forests, the light gray to silver gray color of the trunk is particularly noticeable.
You can also identify a beech tree by the fact that the trunk appears very smooth. The places where branches once sat are clearly visible.
Light gray dust can often be seen under the beech tree. This is the bark, which does not form large scales on a beech tree, but crumbles into dust and falls off.
Beech trees tolerate pruning very well
One of the special features of beech is that it tolerates cutting extremely well. It can even tolerate cutting right into the old wood. However, large wounds should be closed with artificial bark so that no pathogens can penetrate.
Tip
Unlike the fruits, beech leaves are edible. The leaves are used in natural medicine to heal ulcers and gum problems. Beechnuts, on the other hand, are poisonous, but can be eaten roasted.
