Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Edibility:Edible

Eating notes: The very young leaves are edible as salad greens, but toughen quickly as they age.

The Beech is a large tree very common in British woodland.

Height: up to 40m

Leaves: Oval-shaped with a defined point. They grow alternately along the branches on short stems. Lightly downy when young, becoming larger and smoother with age. Noticeable straight raised pale veins on the underside.

Flowers: Small hanging pompoms which appear in the spring with the new growth.

Other: Beech tends to prefer well-drained chalky soils.