FAGUS SYLYATICA. THE COMMON BEECH. 
Class XXL MONCECIA.— Order XIII. POLYANDRIA. 
Natural Order, CUPULIFERJ1. THE OAK TRIBE. 
The beech is a handsome umbrageous tree, combining magnificence with beauty ; and is as Mathews 
observes, at once the Hercules and Adonis of our sylva. It has a smooth thin bark, which is white when 
fully exposed to the air. The leaves are shining, thin, changing to a brown or russet colour in autumn ; 
and on soil somewhat -moist, or in wet autumns, remaining on the trees throughout the winter. On young 
trees, and on trees planted in hedgerows and pruned, the leaves are more certain of rem aining on during the 
winter, than on large, old or detached trees. The head of the beech is, in general so dense, that plants do 
not readily grow under it, which is also partly owing to the leaves requiring a longer time to decay after 
they fall. The branches of the beech, whether in old or young trees, generally take an upright direction, and 
form acute angles with the stem ; though in old trees, the lower branches are often horizontal, and some- 
times bent down in the middle ; and curving upwards at the extremity. The branches are very numerous, 
and the smaller shoots much divided ; but the direction both of the branches and spray is always more or 
less straight, as compared with that of the branches or spray of the oak, the ash and some other trees. 
The roots do not descend deeply into the soil, but extend to a considerable distance close under the surface. 
The rootlets and fibres are not nearly so numerous as in the ash and elm. The barren flowers are in round, 
stalked drooping heads, or catkins of a light brown colour, and 3 or 4 in each head. The fertile ones are 
placed above them on the branch and are solitary, and on stouter stalks than the male catkins. The calyx 
of the fruit is 4-cleft, clothed with simple pliant prickles. The stigmas are 9 in each flower ; spreading, 
acute, and downy. Nuts 2, with 3 equal very sharp angles crowned with the inner calyx. The flowers 
appear in May, and the fruit ripens in October. The fruit when ripe opens at the upper extremity, in four 
divisions, and, after a short time, the nuts frequently drop out, leaving the calyx or cup which contained 
them attached to the tree. The nut contains a white oleaginous substance, agreeable to eat. The seedlings 
of this tree, Sir J. E. Smith observes, when newly sprung up, with their pale cotyledons, look not unlike 
some kinds of fungus. Under favourable circumstances, they will attain a height of 10 feet in five years, 
and 20 feet or 25 feet in 10 years. The height of the tree, when full grown, and in a situation where it is 
allowed to spread, may be considered as from 60 feet to 80 feet. The life of the beech tree in its native 
habitat in Germany according to Willdenow, extends to 200 years and upwards. The oldest beech tree in 
England is probably that in Windsor Forest, which is supposed to have been in existence before the Nor- 
man Conquest. In general the tree attains its full growth in England in 60 or 80 years, when it is fit to 
be cut down for timber purposes ; and on good soils, it is more than doubtful whether it will live much longer 
than 100 or 150 years. When the tree is cut, the wound heals quickly over, so as to leave but very slight 
seams, and when the branches are cut off - close to the trunk, it is not liable to throw out fresh shoots. 
The finest beech trees in Britain are said to grow in Hampshire, and there is a curious legend respect- 
ing those in the Forest of St. Leonard, in that county. This forest, which was the abode of St. Leonard, 
abounds in noble beech trees ; and the saint was particularly fond of reposing under their shade; but when he 
did so, he was annoyed during the day by vipers, and at night by the singing of nightingales. Accordingly 
he prayed that they might be removed ; and such was the efficacy of his prayers, that, since his time, in 
that forest, 
“ The viper has ne’er been known to sting 
Or the nightingale e’er to sing.” 
Virgil frequently mentions the beech, as in the well known lines : — 
“ Tityre, tu, patulse recubans sub tegmine fagi, 
Sylvestrem tenui musam meditaris avena.” 
“ Beneath the shade which beechen boughs diffuse, 
You Tityrus, entertain your sylvan muse. Dnjdei >. 
