Fagus sylvatica L. Common Beech or European Beech Native to Europe, including south England, much cultivated throughout Europe for timber, ornament and shade. Also planted widely in N. America. The edible nuts are a source of oil, which was extracted on a large scale in Germany during the World Wars, and may be made into a kind of margarine. Height to 30m (100ft) with a large thick trunk sometimes 2-2.5m (6-8ft) across. Flowers open in May, numerous drooping clusters of males and one or two female clusters at the tip of the shoot. Fruit is ripe in September or October, releasing triangular nuts, about 1.5cm (⅝ in) long. Leaves have 5-9 pairs of veins. Bark is smooth and grey.