342 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



BEECH. 

 Fagus sylvatica = The Common Beech. 



This tree is a native tree to England, but not, apparently, 

 to Scotland. 



As to Seed. The seed ripens in the autumn. 



From the 6oth year onwards the Beech produces good 

 crops of seed. But seed years are very intermittent ; a really 

 good year occurring about once in every 5 to 1 2 years. 



An average germinative capacity of the seed is about 

 50 per cent. 



And i Ib. of seed contains about 2000 seeds. 



The timber is not very strong, nor is it durable when 

 exposed to inimical influences ; though it will last well under 

 water. It lends itself to being steamed, and then bent ; and 

 it takes creosote very well. It is very liable to be worm eaten. 

 It must be quickly removed from the forest, as it soon 

 deteriorates if left, and loses its colour. If felled when the 

 sap has risen, the timber invariably becomes inferior in 

 colour, and streaked with black markings. 



Soil and Situation. Beech will thrive on a very great 

 variety of soils, but, generally speaking, a fairly deep soil is 

 necessary. It delights in a calcareous soil, and will thrive on 

 shallow soils resting on chalk, or on shallow clay soils resting 

 on disintegrated limestone rock. It is not suited to very stiff 

 clays ; but, on moderate clays, if the situation be not too wet, 

 it will succeed admirably. Any prolonged flooding of the 

 land is usually fatal to it. Very dry soils are not suited to it ; 

 but, on deep light land of fair quality it usually succeeds well. 

 It should not be planted on land that has long been covered 

 with heather, as such land is nearly always too acid, even if 

 well drained, for the growth of Beech, or any broad-leaved 

 trees, except Birch or Alder. Beech are very susceptible to 

 late spring and early autumn frosts, and the former danger is 

 intensified, inasmuch as the trees usually break out early into 

 leaf. Young Beech are very susceptible to hot sun ; and, for 

 the first few years of their existence, overhead shade and 



