NEN Gallery

A beautiful tree with an enormous spreading crown when mature, although often used in hedgerows rather than allowed to grow to its full height. Trees especially young trees and hedges retain their leaves well into winter. The Beech tree is native to southern England. It has oval leaves which are yellow green when young quickly turning a shiny green. In Autumn they become a rich orange brown. Some red varieties are often planted as ornament. The trunk of the beech tree is smooth and grey in colour The twigs of the beech tree are brown, slightly bendy and have very characteristic narrow pointed buds. Its fruits are encased in a spiny cover. Its wood is used for making furniture and it is often found in forests with oak. Picture taken 11th July 2006 at Ampthill, Bedfordshire.