Common beech

(Fagus sylvatica)

You don’t normally need to stick to the path when walking through a beech forest. This elegant species, known as the Queen of British trees, has few plants growing beneath it due to the thick mush of leaf litter beneath your feet. The canopy is verdant in spring and summer, and golden in autumn, and looks especially spectacular when the sun is shining through it.

KEY FEATURES: Triangular nuts are held in a spiky case, leaves are pointed ovals, bark is smooth and grey. WHERE TO SEE IT: Friston Forest in South Downs National Park has extensive beech woodland.