Leaves

The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire or with a slightly crenate margin, 5–10 cm long and 3–7 cm broad, with 6–7 veins on each side of the leaf. When crenate, there is one point at each vein tip, never any points between the veins.

Flowers

The male flowers are borne in small catkins. The female flowers produce beechnuts.

Seeds

Stem

The bark is smooth and silvery-grey, and the tree can reach up to 50 metres tall.

Fruit

Small triangular nuts 15–20 mm long and 7–10 mm wide at the base; there are two nuts in each cupule, maturing in the autumn.

Taste

The leaves have a flavour similar to lettuce, and the nuts are similar to walnut flavour.

Frequency & law

Very common in its native range and not protected.

Possible confusion

Hornbeam can look similar but where Beech has a smooth bark, Hornbeam is fluted. Beech has long pointed leaf buds, whereas Hornbeam has short leaf buds.

Habitat

Tolerates a variety of soil types, but requires a humid atmosphere and well-drained soil. Tolerates rigorous winter cold, but is sensitive to spring frost. In the woodlands of southern Britain, beech is dominant over oak and elm south of a line from about north Suffolk across to Cardigan.

How to harvest

Gather young fresh leaves in spring, and nuts in autumn.

Cooking tips

Beech leaves are edible raw when young and tender, and Beech nuts from the masts are available in the Autumn; However, they are high in tannins so should be eaten in moderation.

Other uses

The nuts can be pressed for oil and the timber is used for furniture.

Folklore

Known as the widow maker because of its low, horizontal growing branches falling on campers without warning.