The use of the beech is versatile. It has a very high calorific value, so that the wood was primarily used as firewood in the past. In times of need, the fruits served as a substitute for food. Unlike the fruit, the leaves and shoots of beech trees, which are not poisonous, were used as animal feed.

The wood of the common beech is often used for furniture or as firewood

The numerous possible uses of beech trees

  • Furniture
  • stair construction
  • parquet
  • toys
  • tools
  • charcoal
  • firewood
  • food
  • fodder
  • remedy

The wood of the copper beech is slightly reddish and its grain is very even. That is why beech is a popular wood for furniture. Many wooden toys for children are made from common beech.

Red beech wood is not as stable and durable as that of oak or hornbeam, so its use as industrial wood is limited and only possible with appropriate impregnation.

Beechnuts were eaten in times of need

The fruits of the common beech, the beechnuts, are slightly poisonous, but can be eaten roasted or heated. In times of need, the beechnuts were therefore collected and used to enrich the menu. They are very oily.

Use of the common beech as animal feed

The young shoots of the common beech used to be a popular animal feed. So the shoots were dried with leaves and fed to cattle in winter. In addition, the dried leaves made a good litter for the stable.

In the spring, cows were given young beech branches with leaves to encourage milk production.

European beech and its medicinal use

The leaves of the red beech are not poisonous. They contain substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Beech was therefore used in the past for dental problems by chewing the leaves.

Beech leaves can also be used to heal ulcers. The rubbed leaves were placed on the affected areas as a compress.

Common beech is often used as firewood

Red beech wood burns very evenly and for a long time. It is therefore considered a very good firewood. Charcoal for grilling is also mostly made of copper beech.

Ham and fish roasted over beech wood are considered a delicacy because of their special aroma.

tips

In the Middle Ages, red beech was used to make glass. The so-called "green forest glass" consisted of beech ash and sand. Huge amounts of beech wood were required for glass production, which led to the deforestation of huge beech forests.

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Trees