Common Beech (Fagus Sylvatica) is one of the tallest trees native to the British Isles, growing up to be nearly 50m tall. Naturally, they can live for 400 years (ancient at 225 years) but can live much longer (up to 1,000 years) if they’re actively coppiced or pollarded. Beech trees have a long history of being coppiced and pollarded (ancient methods of getting wood without felling the whole tree) Coppicing involved cutting it down but leaving energy reserves in tact so the tree can regrow again

Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) - leaves - April 2018