Content
- The fruits of the blood beech are called Bucheckern
- The fruits of the blood beech
- When do the fruits of the blood beech ripen?
- Many fruits in fattening years
- Fruits are slightly poisonous
- Tips
The beechnuts of the beech are slightly poisonous, but can be eaten roasted
The fruits of the blood beech are called Bucheckern
The beech develops a variety of fruits in some years. In other years, on the other hand, there are virtually no beechnuts to be found. What you should know about the slightly poisonous fruits of blood beech.
The fruits of the blood beech
Only after 30, sometimes only after 40 years, the blood beech begins to bloom. From the flowers develop fruits.
When do the fruits of the blood beech ripen?
The fruits of the beech are ripe in September and October. They then fall to the ground. The shell of the fruit often jumps up and the beechnuts come off by themselves.
The distribution of the seeds is done by squirrels and jays. Often they are buried and forgotten, so that a new blood beech will grow on the spot.
In the forest, beechnuts are an important source of food for wild boars, red and fallow deer, as well as birds and other woodland animals. They are very oily and help the forest dwellers to accumulate fat reserves for the winter.
Many fruits in fattening years
Like all beech trees, they do not produce many fruits each year. In some years, the harvest is completely out, in other years there are so many beechnuts that the whole soil is covered with it.
This is a natural process, which is also referred to as Mastsaat. The excessive production of seeds ensures that at least one part is not eaten by animals and that new trees develop from them.
Fruits are slightly poisonous
Bucheckern contain very much oxalic acid and Fagin.They are therefore classified as slightly toxic. Excessive consumption causes nausea and abdominal pain.
Heating can reduce the toxins. Roasted beech nuts are often used in the vegan kitchen. The fruits are more edible by the heat treatment.
Beech cutters can also be ground into flour and used to bake bread, cakes and biscuits.
Tips
If you want to propagate blood beech yourself, you can collect the seeds of blood beech trees that are free in the forest. However, the seeds must be stratified before sowing. This means that they need a longer cold period to overcome germ inhibition.