Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Fagus sylvatica; Beech


They grow up to 40 metres tall. They usually prefer slightly acidic dryer soils but are found on a variety of free draining soils. This beach I found close to the road on the edge of Platt fields park. The soil here was quite wet with a few boggy areas scattered.


The branches are often crowded and ascending but sometimes arch outwards. The trunk of this beach is long and straight and goes up at an angle. 


The leaves are long, oval and pointed with a wavy margin and a fringe of silky hairs. They grow to about 10cm long. The stalk that joins the leaf to the stem (the petiole) grows to about 1.5cm.


The buds grow up to 2cm long and they are smooth and pointed. They are reddish brown in colour.


The bark is often smooth and grey in colour but can become rough. This one feels rough and looks like it may have flaked off a bit.



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