European beech
Fagus sylvatica
Its smooth grey bark is unmistakable; its elliptical leaves are distinguished by subtle ‘lashes’ on their margins. In the autumn, the trees bear fruit in the form of beech mast, which is boars’ great delicacy.
Beeches frequently form very shady single-species woods. They can do well even with little sunshine. Penderecki’s special favourite was the ‘roseomarginata’ variety, whose white-and-green leaves have pink margins. Other beech varieties in Lusławice include ‘rotundifolia’ (‘round-leaved’), ‘pendula’ (‘weeping’), and ‘asplenifolia’ (‘cut-leaf’).