Fagus sylvatica is a tall deciduous tree, reaching over 40 m in height,with a straight, sturdy trunk (Gamlin, 1985) and has smooth grey bark and a broad dense crown (Clapham, et al. 1987). In forest conditions most of the branches sprout from near the top of the trunk, less so when growing as isolated trees. The short-stalked leaves are 5-10cm long, elliptical, with wavy margins (Gamlin, 1985). They are silvery and hairy when young, but turn hairless and glossy. Twigs are thin and smooth with buds all along them and are also tipped with a bud. The buds are covered in brown scales. Beech nuts, called mast, are enclosed in a bristly, woody husk until release. Very heavy nut production occurs at intervals of about five years. The shrub and ground flora layers are generally very poor or non-existent due to the dense shade Fagus sylvatica casts and the heavy, persistent leaf litter it forms (Tansley, 1939). It has a dense network of roots but these need not be deep and Fagus is prone to toppling by high winds.