Beech

There has been a long running debate over whether Beech trees should be considered native to Scotland, however researchers at the University of Stirling concluded they should be on examination of the DNA of more than 800 beech trees across Great Britain.

Mature trees can grow to a height of 40m and develop a huge domed crown. The bark is smooth, thin and grey. The edges of the leaves are hairy. Triangular beech nuts form in prickly four-lobed seed cases.

Both male and female flowers grow on the same tree, in April and May the tassel like male catkins hang down while female flowers grow in pairs surrounded by a cup. The cup becomes woody once pollinated and encloses one or two beech nuts. Beech is wind pollinated.