Funky old Beech

[SJH]

I took these photos in May and never got round to posting them until now.

Its a Funky Beech tree that I found, only small in height but tons of character!.

 

 

 

 

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

That is a lot older than it looks, a very interesting tree, thanks for sharing, now get it on the ATF forum hunt

[skyhuck]

That is a lot older than it looks, a very interesting tree, thanks for sharing, now get it on the ATF forum hunt

 

How old do you think it is Tony?????

 

My understanding was that Beech are not that long lived.

[RobArb]

think they can live 250-350 years, but a pollarded beech, thats probably a different story!

[skyhuck]

think they can live 250-350 years, but a pollarded beech, thats probably a different story!

 

Yeah around 350 was what I understood the maximum to be, I was wondering if Tony thought this was older than that???

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

300 plus makes it ancient, ancient designation being of outstanding age for its species, a beech 300-500 is ancient Oak 600-1000 roughly speaking.

 

hard to say with this beech as its a photo, but looking at its form its well over 250 as a minimum

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

My guess would be 350 it lost its main stem at some stage, and has carried on, maybe because a gano didnt get in, iether way that form wreaks age

[skyhuck]

We need to fell it now and count the rings to see if your right

[Stephen Blair]

I like that tree, what a climbing frame for kids to play.

I have never seen a beech like that

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

In this video Brian new Chairman of the ATF talks about beech at Ashridge park, check out the big one toward the middle.

 

A truly ancient beech, and I would take anyone to see it, just give me a shout.