A beech is a tree. There are many different types of beech tree, but the most common type in the UK is the common beech (Fagus sylvatica). Beeches can live for hundreds of years and grow to a height of 30 metres (100 feet).
The leaves of a beech tree are oval-shaped and have serrated edges. The leaves are dark green in colour and turn golden-brown in autumn. The flowers of a beech tree are small and brown, and they appear in clusters. The fruit of a beech tree is a small, hard nut.
Beech hedges
Beech trees grow in woods and forests, and they are a popular type of tree for planting in parks and gardens. In gardens the beech can be used as a border, a hegde plant.
Beech hedges are popular because they are fast-growing and easy to maintain. Beech hedges can be trimmed into shapes, and they make good boundaries between properties. Beech hedges can also be used to screen off unsightly areas or to provide privacy.
If you are thinking of planting a beech hedge, it is important to choose the right variety of beech for your needs. The common beech is a good choice for a hedge because it is fast-growing and easy to maintain. However, there are also other types of beech that can be used for hedges, such as the copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’) and the purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’).
Beech trees are not tolerant of pollution, so they are not a good choice for planting near busy roads. Beeches also prefer well-drained soil, so they are not a good choice for wet or boggy areas.