European beech forest, Belgium 26 Jan 2025

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 grey 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 48-metres-tall trees dominate the landscape, but their wood is also used to make some of the sturdiest furniture, flooring and even kitchen tools.

© Philippe Moes/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

The glowing winter
26 Jan 2024Big Garden Birdwatch
26 Jan 2026Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

More Desktop Wallpapers:

24 Jun 2024Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
Were halfway there
12 Feb 2026Darwin Day
Cool bloomers
18 Nov 2025Male hooded merganser, Oregon, United States
One giant leap for mankind
Bridging past and present
6 Sep 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
23 Feb 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
26 Aug 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
6 Jan 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Ever seen garlic bloom?
9 Feb 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
One on land, a million in space
17 Nov 2025National Hiking Day
24 Dec 2023Christmas Eve
30 Jan 2024Aýna, Albacete, Spain
3 Apr 2024Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
24 May 2025European Day of Parks
14 Oct 2024Coco Beach, Goa, India
12 Jan 2024Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
7 Nov 2023Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
16 Nov 2025A traboule in Lyon, France
19 Jul 2025National Moth Week
20 Apr 2024Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Where is this hidden waterfall?
9 Feb 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
4 Jul 2025Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
Shell-ebrating sea turtles