© 1981 by Institute of Chartered Foresters
Beech in Wessex - a Perspective on Present Health and Silviculture
Forestry Commission Flowers Hill. Brislington, Bristol BS4 5JY
The condition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L) growing in thirty woods in the south of England is described. In older woods, up to 20 per cent of trees were killed or seriously damaged by the summer drought of 1976. Most surviving trees have recovered fully.
Beech snap disease, associated with the fungus Nectria coccinea is widespread in younger stands, especially those also affected by lime-induced chlorosis, beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) or severe competition. Nevertheless, sufficient trees survive to provide a choice of final crop. In the long term, beech does not seem likely to die out through drought or disease.
Trees of almost all ages and conditions exhibit a tendency to multiple forking. The principle remedy is to keep trees in closed canopy until a 6 to 8 m clean bole has been obtained. Beech responds well to heavy thinning at this stage.
The long term future of beech woodlands depends on timber values and on support for their ecological and amenity value. Silviculturally, beech is the best adapted species for the shallowest calcareous soils, especially on the Jurassic limestone.
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  E. P. Mountford, P. S. Savill, and D. P. Bebber Patterns of regeneration and ground vegetation associated with canopy gaps in a managed beechwood in southern England Forestry, October 1, 2006; 79(4): 389 - 408. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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