Beech (Fagus Sylvatica)
The Beech tree (Fagus Sylvatica) grows to around 40 metres and can be found throughout the UK.
Identifying features: The Beech is a large deciduous trees with smooth grey bark, ovate leaves colouring well in autumn and inconspicuous flowers followed by usually spiny fruits.
In full leaf, the canopy allows very little sunlight through to the ground beneath, and in Beech woods you will find very little growing under the trees.
The seeds, otherwise known as Beech Mast drops in September and October, consist of two triangular shaped nuts held in a prickly, leathery shell, which splits into four sections.
Diviners in search of water hidden underground are known to use forked branches from the Beech tree traditionally called Wishing Rods.
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