![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/hetre1.jpg?d=128x128)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](https://ecotree.green/blog/focus-sur-le-chene) and the [Chestnut](%chataigner%). Beech has long been cultivated for the production of timber, mainly [for furniture](https://ecotree.green/blog/parquets-et-meubles-l-art-du-bois-1-2), and grows in pure Beech stands or, more often, in forests where it is associated with [Sessile Oak,](/en/species/4), [Silver Fir,](/en/species/25) and [Norway Spruce.](/en/species/28) [ Become a Tree Owner ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ### 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 ### 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. Read moreRead less ![Beech](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/hetre2.jpg?d=128x128) ### 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**. ### Our selection of trees Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change? ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2571c5b6779e98ad58bff748b04285e66ca54c5b.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6672) [Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6672) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Yzeures-sur-Creuse forest Indre-et-Loire, Centre Val-de-Loire, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2635bae6bffe08ab8a11b5d360b6217ededeebbf.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6826) [Maritime Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6826) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Confolens forest Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/b8ec8531717785d6083deea60ccaa53b48002bc4.jpeg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Only 13 left! [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6846) [Downy Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6846) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Confolens forest Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France Add to cart Please note that this is promotional communication. See our [notice of information](https://ecotree.green/en/notice-of-information). [ See our trees ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Adrian has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Rodrigo has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Umer has started a [subscription of 3 trees in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Umer has started a [subscription of 3 trees in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Lisa has started a [subscription of 4 trees in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/df92dd11cbfeae6aee48aa9a20bf35cee9118475.png?d=70x70)Roger gave away [1 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/3743) from Orø-Margrete Forest (Sjælland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2a28e538467e10e5c944d7fa0ac128b00e84380c.png?d=70x70)Simon purchased [1 Norway Maple](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4680) from Orø-Margrete forest 2 (Sjælland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2635bae6bffe08ab8a11b5d360b6217ededeebbf.png?d=70x70)Lisete gave away [1 Maritime Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6826) from Confolens forest (Charente, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/06/3ba24296b4cbc7917ed762f9d9ea42b3d2a67c89.jpg?d=70x70)Kevin gave away [1 The perfect forest gift bundle](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7394) from Different regions (FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/77cfdea734cb4577a3619de6e6ba0db2e9e4a364.jpg?d=70x70)Robert purchased [3 Checker trees](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7362) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/77cfdea734cb4577a3619de6e6ba0db2e9e4a364.jpg?d=70x70)Kevin purchased [2 Checker trees](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7362) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/82dcbb2e421cab5d712b94dc8f2c85d3facbf641.jpeg?d=70x70)Jeanette purchased [1 Pear tree](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7385) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/182a8275ffb95ab9b13911a77fab622c1f5f5177.jpg?d=70x70)Kevin helped preserve 10 m² of the [m2 of biodiversity hedges in Nyssum ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4997) project in The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2571c5b6779e98ad58bff748b04285e66ca54c5b.png?d=70x70)Marta purchased [1 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6672) from Yzeures-sur-Creuse forest (Indre-et-Loire, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2571c5b6779e98ad58bff748b04285e66ca54c5b.png?d=70x70)Daniel gave away [2 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6672) from Yzeures-sur-Creuse forest (Indre-et-Loire, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/2571c5b6779e98ad58bff748b04285e66ca54c5b.png?d=70x70)Nathaniel purchased [1 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6672) from Yzeures-sur-Creuse forest (Indre-et-Loire, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/c98a25ab9a107f95c0a74bd9643dc8e333f33154.png?d=70x70)Nanna purchased [2 Hazels](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4090) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/5a4b02c451eca6d9634141f1548976d4bac06cfa.jpeg?d=70x70)Nadine gave away [1 Larch](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4649) from Orø-Margrete forest 2 (Sjælland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/77bf71ca9c6ce899d41551b1353e2df049fc54c0.jpg?d=70x70)Michel helped preserve 19.01 m² of the [m2 of biodiversity in Thisted forest ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/3576) project in Thisted Forest (Nordjylland, DK) ### It's in the bag, great choice! 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