The deciduous forest surrounding us is relatively young and is comprised from not only the beech but also other tree species. Sycamore and Norway Maple are easily identified by their large leaves with 5 lobes. Furthermore, you can see ash and elm trees, which were planted. Without forestry measures, the beech would completely dominate the forest. Under suitable site conditions, its growth greatly surpasses that of competing trees. Therefore it is hardly surprising that under natural conditions Central Europe would be covered, by beech forests with few exceptions.

The ubiquitousness of beech trees may be deduced from the many German terms and expressions which are derived from its German name ‘Buche’. Examples are “Buchstabe” (= letter) or “Buch” (= book).