Common beech

The common beech is a long-lived tree, and very large, more than 30m (100ft) high, which thrives on lighter soils, especially chalky ones. There are many decorative varieties more suitable for gardens, including 'Dawyck Gold', a seedling from 'Dawyck' (originally 'Fastigiata'), which appeared in a Scottish garden over a century ago. Like its parent, this golden form is a tall slender form with layered branches that curve slightly upwards and produce a dense mass of foliage, soft yellow at first and then turning pale green as the season advances. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).