Beech: Meaning and use

The Common Beech is a cousin of the Oak and Chestnut. However, it is often confused with the Hornbeam, which is not in the same family.

Beech

The Common Beech, with the latin name Fagus sylvatica, belongs to the Fagaceae family, which it shares with the Oak and the Chestnut. Beech has long been cultivated for the production of timber, mainly for furniture, and grows in pure Beech stands or, more often, in forests where it is associated with Sessile Oak,, Silver Fir, and Norway Spruce.

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Why does EcoTree plant Beech?

Beech trees are often used as diversification species in forests. In some high forest stands, Beech intentionally planted alongside Oak. This forestry technique is used to encourage the Oaks to grow straight and tall, limiting the development of low branches, which is beneficial for the production of high-quality wood.

Beech - Overview

The Common Beech is a large tree that can grow to a height of 40 metres and, in exceptional cases, live to be 400 years old. Its oval leaves are slightly wavy, lined with eyelashes in spring and arranged alternately on the branches. It is easily recognised by its thin, smooth bark which persists throughout its life and, unlike the Hornbeam with which it could be confused, the surface of its trunk is regular. The Beech flowers are small and discreet, greenish in colour, appearing in spring before the leaves. The fruit are triangular, brown bugs, like a kind of capsule, containing two or three edible nuts known as faines. It is widespread in Europe, particularly in Central and Western Europe, but can also be found in Anatolia, the Caucasus and North Africa. Beech also plays an essential ecological role as the dominant species in certain forest ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity and functioning of temperate forest ecosystems.

Beech - Species requirements

Beech is a shade or semi-shade species. This species prefers humus-rich, well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral soils. Beech thrives in cool soils but can tolerate some drought once established. However, they do not grow well on soils that are too acidic or excessively wet. Although beech can grow to impressive sizes and live up to 300 years under optimum conditions, it is generally considered to be a relatively short-lived species, rarely exceeding 400 years.

Beech wood

Beech wood is widely used in the manufacture of many objects and utensils. Its fine, short grain makes it easy to work, particularly in small-scale joinery. It can also be easily bent. From chairs to oars or from staircases to parquet flooring, it lends itself to all kinds of manufacture, provided that there are no long spans (it is therefore rarely used in carpentry) and that it is not left outside unless the wood is treated at high temperature, otherwise it rots easily.

Symbolism of the Beech

For the druids of Ireland, it represented written knowledge. Beech is also often associated with longevity, due to its ability to live for several centuries. In Celtic mythology, the Beech was a symbol of femininity.

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