Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
European beech trees grow on average of 50-60 feet high and the diameter often equals the height creating a very full tree. Naturally they are usually found south from Sweden to Italy and as west as Portugal. They grow over time at a moderate to slow pace. Beech trees enjoy full sun and can grow in most soil types. Known for providing lots of full shade, the European Beech is often found in parks or public areas thus an ornamental tree.
Some beech tree’s produce small tiny nuts called beechnuts that many birds and mammals including humans can feed off of. They appear in early spring but only once the tree is 30 years old and even then not every year. The prime conditions for nuts to be produced are in years following a hot, sunny, and dry summer. European Beech tree’s leaves are alternating usually a dark green prior to turning golden bronze in the fall. They average 3-6 inches in length with parallel veins that have teeth that lead to a point. The light gray colored bark is very smooth and up to a foot in diameter.
While most beech trees are found in parks or gardens some can be used as a wood product although not for structural support. Some of the beech tree’s history surrounds early settlers. Beech trees were often sought after because they usually naturally grow where fertile soil is. However, this usually meant that the tree would most certainly be chopped down to make way for crops.
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