No deciduous tree is as common in German forests and parks as the beech, also known as the common beech. Because of its similarity to the hornbeam, which is a member of the birch family, it is often confused with the latter. You can recognize a beech tree by these special features.
How do I recognize a beech tree?
To recognize a beech tree, pay attention to its size (40-45 meters), the smooth, silver-gray trunk, oval and slightly serrated leaves and the orange autumn foliage. They usually grow in protected locations in forests.
Characteristics for identifying beech trees
There are some distinctive characteristics that can be used to identify a beech tree. However, the color of the foliage is not one of them. Beech trees have green leaves, although they are also called European beech. Only copper beeches can be recognized by their red leaves.
You can recognize a beech tree by the following points:
- Size
- Tribe
- leaves
- Autumn leaves
- Location
The height of a beech tree
A fully grown beech tree reaches 40 to 45 meters. A hornbeam only grows half as tall. The crown of the beech tree is very even and expansive, while a hornbeam appears slightly stunted.
Beeches have a smooth trunk
Young beeches initially have a dark green, almost black trunk. Over time it lightens and becomes a silver-gray color.
In contrast to a hornbeam, the beech trunk appears much smoother. The bark is very thin and only has a few cracks running through it.
This is what beech leaves look like
Beech leaves are up to ten centimeters long. Their shape is oval, egg-shaped. The leaves are only slightly serrated at the edges, in contrast to the hornbeam, where the serrations are very pronounced.
Beech leaves have a few veins running through them and appear smooth.
Beech leaves in autumn
The beech tree's most distinctive feature is its beautiful autumn leaves. The leaves turn a bright orange-red from October onwards. The color is particularly intense in mid-November.
Most beech species keep their leaves for a very long time, even though they are deciduous trees. The leaves often hang on the tree until the next spring. They are then dried out and have a brown color.
The autumn leaves of the hornbeam, on the other hand, turn yellow.
Books need a protected location
Beech trees are usually found in sheltered places in the forest. There are significantly more beech trees in southern Germany than in northern Germany.
Tip
In contrast to the fruits of the beech tree, the nuts of the hornbeam are not poisonous. Since both fruits differ in appearance, there is no risk of confusion.