2. Beech

Common Name – Beech

Latin Name - Fagus sylvatica

Height -   35/40 Metres 

Similar in shape and form to the Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), this is a slower growing tree that can live for hundreds of years and as such, develop a huge domed crown with an ultimate height of upwards of  forty-metres.

The bark of the tree is smooth and grey in colour, with the twigs producing torpedo-shaped reddish-brown leaf buds. Additionally, the tree also produces young oval, pointed lime green leaves and both the male and female flowers appear in April/May.

The fruit of the Beech tree, its nuts are called ‘Mast’ and when released from bristly, spikey husk they produce a good food source for mammals like squirrels and many birds. Given the longevity of the tree, it is an important habitat for butterflies, a number of moth species and many wood boring insects.