Beech Tree

On a quiet country lane within a short distance of the Pennines sits this Beech on top of a hill. I often take Yan up there because of its solitude and beautiful views. I park right underneath it on a flat area of grass and we sit there and watch the world go by (sheep, cows birds, rabbits, the odd farm collie and tractor) It was a bit chilly for that today so we went for a walk then sat in the car for a bit. Beeches grow forty metres plus and develop a huge domed crown. The Beech is a monoecious tree. It has both male and female flowers on the same tree. They can live hundreds of years and coppiced stands up to a thousand years. they are very valuable to wildlife and due to its longevity provides many habitats for fungi and mosses as well as birds and a variety of insects. In the past - Celtic Mythology - it was considered very valuable as a medicine for reducing swelling and for using boiled leaves as a poultice.