比利时的欧洲山毛榉森林 European beech forest in Belgium (© Philippe Moes/Minden Pictures)

比利时的欧洲山毛榉森林 European beech forest in Belgium (© Philippe Moes/Minden Pictures)

优雅地老去 Aging gracefully

欧洲山毛榉森林，比利时

山毛榉树堪称大自然的奇迹。虽然全球有多个品种，但在欧洲，欧洲山毛榉尤为引人注目。正如今日图片展示的比利时森林，欧洲山毛榉以光滑的灰色树皮、短粗的树干和宽展的枝条脱颖而出。这种树生长于温带地区，偏爱排水良好、土壤肥沃的环境，通常需30年才能成熟。欧洲山毛榉树高可达160英尺，不仅是森林的主角，其木材还广泛用于制作家具、地板和厨房工具，以坚固耐用闻名。

黑熊、狐狸、松鼠、花栗鼠和老鼠等野生动物也喜爱山毛榉。尽管其果实略带苦味，却是各种小动物的美食。冬季，比利时的山毛榉森林愈发迷人。山毛榉粗壮的枝干在冬日变得光秃，整片森林仿佛被冰雪覆盖，化作宁静仙境。无论是悠闲散步还是呼吸清新空气，这里都是理想去处。

European beech forest, Belgium

Beech trees are pretty amazing. There are several species worldwide, but the European beech steals the spotlight in much of Europe. With its smooth gray bark, short trunk, and sweeping branches, this tree is a standout in Belgium's forests, as shown in today's image. It grows in temperate regions and prefers well-drained, fertile soils, taking up to 30 years to mature. Not only do these 160-foot-tall trees dominate the landscape, but their wood is also used to make some of the sturdiest furniture, flooring, and even kitchen tools.

Wildlife such as black bears, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice love them too—beech nuts, though slightly bitter, provide a feast for all kinds of critters. In winter, the beech forests in Belgium become even more enchanting. The trees' big, sprawling branches go bare, and whole forests transform into quiet, frosty wonderlands—perfect for a peaceful stroll or simply soaking up some fresh air.