Native Trees of the Village of Euxton

The Beech 

Beech - Fagus sylvatica, of the family Fagaceae.  

It is a British native tree with a general native distribution that does not include Euxton and Lancashire.

The Beech is a large magnificent, deciduous tree of important in forestry economics.  It reaches a height of a maximum of about 40 metres, and has a maturity of about 120 years.

The Beech tends to form single species stands particularly on chalky soils.  It generally favours chalky soils and limestone, but is tolerant of a fairly wide range of soils and conditions.  The Beech can be found at up to altitudes of about 300 metres.

The mature Beech is large and stately, with a dense canopy that tends to inhibit undergrowth.  The Beech has a natural distribution that is mainly the south of England.   It can be found throughout most of Europe, with the exception of   Spain and some colder climates.

The Beech leaf is oval with a wavy margin, is a bright green in the  Spring and is golden colour in the Autumn.  It is grown from seed, the seed cup splits in Autumn to release 2 three sided nuts.  These paired nuts are borne in a spiky scaly fruit cup.

Its timber is a pale brown hard wood that is relatively easily worked, though when of white wood it considered to be of its best grade.   It is mainly used for furniture and many other uses such as bowls,  spoons, tools, plywood, and veneers.   It is valuable as sawn timber, useable as firewood and the
production of charcoal.

The seed or nut is occurs in abundance every five to eight years.  It is very nutritious, rich in oil and attractive to birds and small mammals, and can be used for culinary purposes.

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