The beech, belonging to the Fagaceae family, is a tree with elliptical-ovate leaves with wavy margins, up to 10cm long. The leaves are initially pale green and hairy, then become dark green and shiny, with autumn colours ranging from yellow to orange-brown. The name of the genus, fagèin, comes from Greek and refers to the fruits, used to feed pigs. Widespread in Central Europe, beech is common in mountain deciduous forests. It is used for lumber, furniture, plywood and as an excellent fuel. Its fruits, beechnuts, were used as a substitute for coffee. Spreading tree with elliptical-ovate leaves, with wavy margins, up to 10cm long, first with pale green silky hairs, then dark green, shiny and yellow to orange-brown in autumn. The name of the genus derives from the Greek fagèin, meaning to eat, referring to the fruits used as food for pigs. The beech has a central European range, which extends from Spain to the Black Sea, from Norway to Sicily, and is the most important constituent of the deciduous forests of the mountainous plain. This tree is very widespread due to its great forestry importance, managed as a coppice or high forest. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in parks due to the beautiful colour of the trunk and foliage in all seasons. Wood is the main product of beech; white-pink in colour, rather hard and compact, it is used in carpentry, for lathe work, coverings, and plywood. It lends itself to being steam bent and is used to make chairs and furniture. Finally, it is an excellent fuel. In the past, the roasted fruits, beechnuts, were used as a coffee substitute. The distillation of wood provides creosote, from which guaiacol is extracted, used in medicine as an excellent balsamic and antiseptic for the respiratory tract.