The beech is the most common deciduous tree in Germany. Even if there are numerous types of beech, the common beech is almost exclusively cultivated on a large scale in this country. All other beech species were introduced and do not occur naturally in Germany. Interesting facts about the different types of beech.

The hanging beech is a fascinating species of beech

There are more than 240 beech species worldwide

There are more than 240 different beech species worldwide. In Germany, however, only the common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and its variety copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) play a role. Occasionally the stone beech occurs. It is shown by a very scarred, cracked bark.

Mourning beeches and Süntel beeches

Two varieties of the common red beech are particularly decorative: the weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica pendula) and the Süntel beech (Fagus sylvatica var. Suentelensis Schelle).

In the case of the weeping beech or weeping beech, the trunk rises like a fountain while the branches bend downwards. It can grow quite tall, but the crown remains rather small. Weeping beeches are very popular in parks and, because of their name, also in cemeteries.

The Süntel beech, also called Krause beech or crippled beech, occurs in southern Lower Saxony. It impresses with its very stunted growth. The trunk is twisted and the branches grow into each other. Süntel beeches do not grow very tall but are very expansive. They offer an impressive sight, but are rather unsuitable for the garden.

A small selection of beech varieties

  • Fagus crenata
  • Fagus grandifolia caroliniana
  • worries
  • pendula
  • francs
  • marmorata
  • Mercedes
  • Purple Fountain
  • Rohan Gold
  • Rohanii
  • Roseo marginata
  • silver coins
  • Silverwood
  • striata
  • tricolor
  • Viridevariegata
  • Zlatia

Many of these types of beech are available in specialist shops. They usually differ in the size and color of the leaves, occasionally also in the color of the bark and the structure of the crown. For laypeople, the differences are often hard to see.

If you want to grow a special beech in the garden, you should go to a specialized tree nursery and get advice.

In different parts of Germany there are arboretums in which the most diverse species of beech are grown. Interested parties can get a lot of information there and learn how the individual species and varieties differ.

Hornbeams are not beeches

Despite their name, hornbeams are not considered beeches. They are birch plants, which, however, look confusingly similar to beeches. The differences are shown by the tree size and the nature of the leaves.

The large beech forests have almost disappeared

In the past there were very large forests with red beeches in Germany. The beech was used in a variety of ways, from animal feed to timber construction and consumption in times of need.

The so-called forest glass, which is obtained from beech ash and sand, was made from beech. Huge amounts of beech wood were required for this, so the old beech forests were cut down and replaced with inferior types of wood.

tips

The beech is also known as the "mother of the forest" because of its abundance. The addition "sylvatica" has the meaning "from the forest".

Category:

Trees