European Beech/Common Beech – Fagus sylvatica

Habitat

• native to Europe

• tree has been in cultivation for a long time

Habit and Form

• deciduous tree

• broad pyramidal shape

• trunk is short and branches generally touch ground

• 50' to 60' tall and up to 50' wide

• slow growth rate

• fine to medium texture

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement

• simple leaves with wavy entire margins

• leaves are 2" to 4" long and approx. 2" wide

• glossy dark green leaf colour, usually has a reddish tint

• 5 to 9 vein pairs

Flowers

• monoecious

• usually flowers in April or Early May

• not ornamentally important

Fruit

• triangular nut

• nut is enclosed in a spiky involucres

• 4-lobed involucres usually contains 2 nuts

• found singly on erect pedicels

Bark

• light gray bark

• smooth

• wrinkled appearance to bark

• stems are olive-brown in colour

Use:

Formerly it was its acorn crop which was gathered mostly for animal feed, but in the times of starvation it could be used as bread substitute. The seed of its acorn crop is eatable; the young leaves are good for salads, soups, and pickles. From the acorn of the beech oil can be retrieved which is used for cooking and lighting. The beech seed which is consumed by humans was picked off from its husk, dried in oven (to lose its hot taste), then grinded. Picked off from its husk, scorched in oven it is used as coffee substitute.

Healing effects:

Its agents are used in the dermatology.

In the folk healing it was used against rheumatism and skin diseases.

In the Bach-flower therapy its essence helps in the tolerance against others.

The beech is good against sadness too!

Psychological researches show, that if we walk in a beech forest, we can be filled with life energy. The beech cures from melancholy, gives back our vivacity, has intensifying and refreshing effect.

Those who are under the impact of circulatory disturbance or vulnerable to stress, make a stay at least once per week near by beech trees. Only 10 minutes of closeness are enough.

The leaves of the tree soothe the headache.

Sponsors:

Ministry of National Resources

University of Szeged

KEFAG Zrt.

Future of Europe Association