Beech
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
- Diameter: (a) 1.54 metres (b) 1.24 metres, Height: (a) 16 metres (b) 10 metres
- Age (Estimated): 200 - 250 years
- Crown spread: (a) North - 10 metres, East - 8 metres, South - 10 metres, West - 3 metres (b) North - 8 metres, East - 8 metres, South - 8 metres, West - 4 metres
Delph Woods is a mixed woodland of 24 acres acquired by Poole Corporation in 1940. The word Delph is derived from an old English word for mining or quarrying and the area is likely to have been a source of gravel for the local population.
The Beech tree is the national tree for Denmark and known for many years especially among foresters as "The Mother of Forests". They check the passage of light more effectively than any other tree and are often used as a hedge in which state they often hold their fawny brown leaves right through winter.
The buds of this tree burst in April to reveal pale green leaves followed in May by the flowers. Leaf fall is normally around October.
There are no records of this tree's introduction to Britain making the tree a point of argument as to its nativeness to Britain.
Between Blanford Forum and Wimborne is a famous avenue of Beech trees planted by French prisoners of war. The trees which border the road along the Iron Age fort of Badbury Rings number 364 on one side and 365 on the other. The line of trees form the longest natural tunnel known.
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