| A Beech Wood in Autumn |
The beech tree (Fagus sylvatica) forms grand grey columns covered in smooth grey bark, which looks black when wet, but is
often patched here and there with sheets of smooth green algae which rub off on one's fingers as a light green powder. This
wood is in the Likey Hills, England, and borders a deciduous mixed woodland of predominantly oak, hazel and birch, but on
the drier steep slopes, beech dominates. Some of the slopes are dominated instead by non-native conifers. In autumn, beech
leaves turn a spectacular orange-red or golden-brown before falling from the tree to carpet the woodland floor. These leaves
contain chemicals noxious to most plants and coupled with the dense summer canopies that intercept most of the sunlight,
there is little undergrowth in beech woods.
often patched here and there with sheets of smooth green algae which rub off on one's fingers as a light green powder. This
wood is in the Likey Hills, England, and borders a deciduous mixed woodland of predominantly oak, hazel and birch, but on
the drier steep slopes, beech dominates. Some of the slopes are dominated instead by non-native conifers. In autumn, beech
leaves turn a spectacular orange-red or golden-brown before falling from the tree to carpet the woodland floor. These leaves
contain chemicals noxious to most plants and coupled with the dense summer canopies that intercept most of the sunlight,
there is little undergrowth in beech woods.
| Above left: an unusually stout birch tree almost passes for a beech at first glance! |
Walking amongst beech trees, with their great column-like statures, reminds many (including myself) of walking in a
cathedral - a natural cathedral. The trees often appear to be sentinels, guarding something, but quite benevolent
nevertheless. Some undergrowth can be seen, including a holly bush in the bottom left corner above. Two pines are also
visible in the above photo.
cathedral - a natural cathedral. The trees often appear to be sentinels, guarding something, but quite benevolent
nevertheless. Some undergrowth can be seen, including a holly bush in the bottom left corner above. Two pines are also
visible in the above photo.
In the two pictures above, young birch trees and young pines can be seen behind the beech tree in the foreground.
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