![]() Red in spring shiny dark purple in summer orangey brown in autumn and still visible for part of winter (marcescence) Fruitīeech nuts, spiky shells with dark brown triangular seeds inside Buds Oval-shaped, with softly waving edges (undulate) small, soft eyelashes on younger leaves Foliage The shade that these trees cast is also particularly efficient at cooling the surrounding air.īeech trees are the most common species in the Sonian Forest, which functions as a vast green lung, air filter and air conditioner for the city of Brussels. They are particularly effective at absorbing CO2, the greenhouse gas famously responsible for global warming, which gets stored in the wood as a form of carbon. ![]() The leaves also filter fine particles from the air quite well, as well as filtering large amounts of air pollution. By producing pure, new oxygen, they purify the air in a way that is beneficial for human lungs. These trees have very dense, abundant foliage that provides large amounts of oxygen. They play an important role in the design of large green spaces. The benefits of copper beech treesĬopper beech trees are planted in parks, and sometimes also in large public squares, for their decorative effect. This research led to many of the specimens seen in parks today. In doing so, they aimed to achieve the most intense colourings that they could. ‘Errors’ like this are quite rare in nature, but copper beech trees are quite common in the city because humans, attracted to their rarity, sought to reproduce this anomaly. This happens because of a genetic anomaly, whereby the tree doesn’t have the enzyme needed to break down the red pigments. The colours can range from bright red, to pinky green, to purply brown. In copper beech trees, though, the red colour doesn’t disappear and is present until the leaves eventually fall off. When the leaves no longer need this protection, an enzyme in the leaves breaks down these red pigments. The colour is due to pigments called anthocyanins, which protect delicate new leaves from the sun’s rays. It comes from very young leaves when each bud opens. Did you know?Īll beech trees have a reddish colour to them, but it is actually a temporary colouring. ![]() These fairies are therefore said to protect beech trees. One such belief that has existed since the Middle Ages is that fairies take shelter in the shade of beech trees, dancing under their foliage where nothing else can grow (apart from more beech trees). For example, for the Celts, beech trees were dedicated to Belisama, a goddess related to community and the home, while some Nordic cultures linked them with Hertha, the goddess of Mother Earth.Īll kinds of popular beliefs and superstitions exist related to these trees. They are a symbol of femininity in several cultures, and also represent knowledge, wisdom, patience and creation. In the early days of Ancient Greece, priests took guidance from beech trees, hearing messages in the rustle of their leaves. Beech trees have been associated with Eurynome, the creator of the world. There was a time when the beech tree was considered the tree of Mother Earth.
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