| Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Irish Fea (Family - Fagaceae)
Description: Magnificent, large, decidious tree. Important economic forestry tree. Height: Max 40m. Age: Mature at 120 years.
Where found: Chalky soils and limestone but tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. Up to 300m Natural distribution in Southern England to Gloucestershire and a few localities in South Wales. Not native to Ireland. Found throughout most of Europe except Spain, Former USSR, Norway and Sweden.
Phenology:
Flowers: April - May producing catkins
Leaves: March - April
Fruit Ripen: October
Fall: November - April
Propagation & growth: Grow from seed. Scaly cup splits in Autumn to release 2 three sided nuts. Seed should be moist chilled for approx 12 weeks before sowing. Approx 3000 germinable seeds per Kg. Best established when sheltered by birch or hazel coppice. frost tender. Increases in size to 120 years.
Uses past & present: Pale brown hard wood but relatively easily worked. Whitest wood considered to be best grade. Uses of wood - Large trees for timber. Not suitable for outside use although used for piles immerced in water. Used for furniture and many other uses such as bowls, spoons, tools, plywood and veneers. Valuable as sawn timber. Good for firewood and production of charcoal. Food & drink - The nut is known as mast and occurs in abundance every five to eigth years. It is nutritious and rich in oil and attractive to birds and small animals including deer and bagders. The oil can be extracted and used for culinary purposes.
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