Here's the latest Sparky's Hitchin View

Familiarity breeds contempt, so they say, and perhaps that's why we sometimes might take the magnificent beech tree just a little bit too much for granted.

We really shouldn't, you know.

Although present in North America, Asia and across most of central and western Europe, here in the UK the beech (Sylvatica fagans)- and its purple-hued cousin, the copper beech (Sylvatica fagans 'Purpurea') - tend to thrive best in areas south of the midlands, but with numerous notable exceptions.

It generally favours well-drained soils, such as sandy, and those that sit on limestone or chalk bedrock.

With its distinctive smooth grey bark and numerous sturdy branches, a beech tree can live for hundreds of years and in maturity can make for an impressive specimen: some will climb to a heady 40 metres (130 feet), given the opportunity.

Standing alone they can be impressive enough, but they delight in company.

However, before we wander off into the welcoming world of a dense beech woodland, let's take a moment to acknowledge what I think is their most effective contribution to the British landscape: the beech 'hanger'.

The dictionary defines a hanger as 'a wood on a steep hillside, characteristically beech growing in southern England'.

As if to illustrate the point, we have the local and appropriately named 'Hanger Wood' near Kings Walden, overlooking the picturesque Lilley Bottom valley near Kings Walden.

Hangers can be found in chalk uplands right across the country. The smallest of these, with just a handful of trees, are probably technically just spinneys, clumps or 'springs' as they are referred to on the maps of our area.

We have a fine example of such at Pinnacle Hill - by the lane between Charlton and Preston- where a few shapely beeches proudly sit atop a prominent hill, adding immeasurably to the view.

If you don't know the place already, then please take a wander - it's only a short stroll out of town and is well worth the effort.

Larger beech woods also have a character and charm all of their own. The dense canopy high above is so effective that it will often eliminate most of the vegetation below by simple denial of sunlight.

However, there are a couple of exceptions.

The rare Ghost Orchid is a beech wood specialist, that like the numerous fungi in autumn, obtains its nutrients from rotting plant matter rather than photosynthesis.

If you ever find the former you will be the envy of botanists across the land.

In the autumn these dappled cathedral-like spaces are transformed by the appearance of a deep and crunching russet rug of discarded leaves, often peppered with a crop of beech 'mast' - paired nuts in spiked cases- that is beloved of both pigs and foragers alike.

In winter, the pleasing architecture of the crowded and jinking grey boughs overhead becomes even more apparent and come the spring the emergence of the vivid green edible leaves from slender red buds signals rebirth for this, the 'Mother of the Woods'.

It is thought that the species became native in the British Isles following the last ice age - some 10,000 year ago- so it is a relative newcomer.

But it obviously thrives here and with its arrival, our 'King of the Trees'- the English oak- finally got his queen.

The oak has a veritable panoply of myths and legends tangled up within its gnarled boughs, but what folklore does the more modest Queen Beech have intertwined within her fine canopy?

The druids held the beech in high regard and believed that it provided a direct link to the wisdom of their ancestors; perhaps this link was via its exposed roots that can 'squirm like so many serpents.'

The tree was also rumoured to favour sacred and mystical ground and it was here that temples could be sited, and the dead laid to rest.

And in addition, anything written on its pleasingly smooth bark would be taken seriously by the deities; the inscribed bark could also be buried nearby to ensure that any wishes were also fulfilled.

Is this the origin of the tradition of carving initials on beech trees? Could a young knife-wielding lover be unwittingly using the remnants of this druidic belief to somehow obtain an ancestral blessing for his union?

It's probably just the perfect writing surface, however, but with just a dash of the legend. But that's how traditions are born I guess: pragmatism and divinity combined.

There is a famous stand of copper beeches near the Neolithic stone circle at Avebury in Wiltshire.

All of the above druidic legends and beliefs are illustrated here: an outstanding example of snake-like roots; the proximity to sacred ground and an ongoing demonstration of the belief that prayers and wishes will come true.

But thankfully, adherents now simply tie a ribbon to the tree rather than whipping out their blades.

But the beech's value is not only spiritual and aesthetic.

In addition to the tender spring leaves and the beech nuts that can be enjoyed by man and beast alike, the tree also produces a fine timber, which is particularly prized for furniture making.

The long established furniture industry in High Wycombe certainly has its roots (hah!) in the readily available supply of wood from the nearby Chiltern beeches.

If you fancy getting out to admire a local beech, good examples can be found in nearly all of our local mixed deciduous woodlands as well as in single-species hangers, parks, graveyards and in gardens - I planted one in mine 20 years ago that is thriving. And tall.

A favourite spot for many is the beech wood on the plateau of Sharpenhoe Clappers that we have discussed previously. In my view, this is the best.

There is a fine arched avenue of stout specimens on the far side of Telegraph Hill, their downward curved arms sheltering travellers on the nearby Icknield Way itself. And behind them there is a small beech wood, the ground currently covered in leaves.

A mile or so nearer Hitchin - at the top of Wood Lane out of Pirton- you have Tingley Field Plantation, where the specimens are slender and taller as they reach for the sky. And we have already spoken of the lovely hilltop spinney near Charlton.

And finally, right here in the town centre, there is a formidable copper beech in St Mary's churchyard. This monster is often overlooked despite its size.

Look out for them all and give them a nod, or a hug even: we are lucky to have so many.

Over the last year we have discovered how fragile life can be, but the Queen of the Trees offers permanence, mystical powers, timber, food and all round beauty to all. What a tree. We should value it.