Beech sprouts from roots

[Arob]

Maybe nothing new to others on the forum, but this was the first time I've ever come across something like this. On a roadside cutting which had eroded I noticed this beech was sprouting from its roots. (Pics are from phone so a bit crap.)

[Stephen Blair]

thats new to me mate, good find

[skyhuck]

I believe its because they have been exposed to the light.

[Arob]

Yes, I imagine it must be. I suppose that's how trees that spread by layering go about it - having growth buds on roots, though I don't think that beech is known for suckering, but then could be wrong as I'm not sure which trees are known to sucker - other than elm perhaps, isn't that one of the factors that helped DED spread?