Buk

The beech as the dominant feature of a setting

The common beech is recognized at first glance in a European landscape: smooth gray bark, a massive arched crown and a dense shade under which almost nothing else grows. In autumn the leaves turn to copper and bronze, which makes the beech one of the most effective trees of all. This model is a finished tree in its own right, 10.1 cm tall, and it is supplied one piece at a time.

A specimen tree, not background filler

The hand-finished workmanship speaks clearly: this tree is not meant to fill the second plane. It is set where it will be seen: in the middle of a village green, at a crossroads, above a trench or beside a farmhouse. Interesting terrain can be built under a beech, because its shade means bare soil, fallen leaves and exposed roots instead of continuous grass.

Placing it in the scene

For credibility the foot of the trunk is essential. The root flares are worth packing round with soil, small stones and a layer of crushed leaves, so that the tree does not grow out of the base like a driven stake. The surface of the bark deserves attention too: a beech trunk is light gray with darker patches of lichen, which is suggested by a very thin wash and a fine dry brush. The crown, by contrast, should not be reworked much, as a beech has a dense and regular outline, so it is enough to remove protruding fibers. For a winter scene the foliage can be partly taken off and replaced with thin twigs, as bare beech wood with a gray trunk makes a very strong impression. The season is worth attention as well. A beech holds dry leaves on its branches long into winter, so in an autumn setting you can combine a copper crown with a layer of fallen leaves beneath it without any loss of credibility.