Fagus sylvatica

Beech

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
30m 1
40m 5
Usually up to 35m 6
43m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular to broad ovoid 1
At least 8m 2
Broad, rounded crown 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (405 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.:
Dense 1
Highly shade-bearing 3

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 1

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree:
300-500 years 2
150-200 years 6
Typically 300 years, exceptionally 900 8

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Pasture, lowland or upland 1
Lowland or upland 2
Arable and pasture systems 5

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability:
Pollards 15
Coppices weakly 3

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree:
Tolerates some herbivory 3
Intolerant of competition from grasses 6
Risk of poor growth in tubes 9

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Minimal or no pruning, or can be cut as a hedge 1
Tolerant to pruning 3

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

Beech, Reading, UK / Tom Staton / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Timber 13, wide range of products 5
Max YC 10 24, average 5-6 2

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood 13

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Oil from nuts 5

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Timber rotation typically 70-80 years 6, up to 100 6 or 140 years 8

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Moderate – shallow roots but large canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Moderate
Long-term (60 years): Moderate

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
High 5
Highest value for mycorrhizal fungi, wood-decay fungi and invertebrates, seeds, and epiphyte communities 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Apr-May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Potentially very large 2

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Less affected by serious diseases 9
Sometimes susceptible to root rot from fungal pathogens, including Phytophthora. Susceptible to beech bark disease 3
Stressed trees often suffer from beech bark disease 5
May be susceptible to aphids, beech bark scale, beech bark disease, fungi (particulary bracket fungi) and powdery mildews 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
May be susceptible to aphids and beech bark scale 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
Highly vulnerable to bark stripping by grey squirrels 35
Low sensitivity to browsing 7