Editing Harz (section)

===== Beech woods =====
From the edge of the Harz to 700 m above [[Normalnull|sea level]] beech woods dominate, especially the [[wood-rush]] beech woods on locations poorly supplied with nutrients where the [[common beech]] (''Fagus sylvatica'') is often the only tree species.  In lower, drier locations the [[English oak]] (''Quercus robur'') and [[sessile oak]] (''Quercus petraea'') occur as well. [[Sycamore|Sycamore trees]] (''Acer pseudoplatanus'') may be found growing in wetter places. During times of decay and rejuvenation when there is plenty of light, light-dependent pioneers such as [[European rowan|rowan]] (''Sorbus aucuparia''), [[silver birch]] (''Betula pendula'') and [[pussy willow]] (''Salix caprea'') play a role. [[Melica|Melic grass]] beech woods are found in the few places where there is an abundance of nutrients and [[base-rich|bases]], e. g. over [[dolerite]] and [[gneiss]] formations, and they have a vegetation layer rich in variety and luxuriant growth. Here, too, the common beech dominates, mixed, for example, with sycamore, [[Common ash|ash]] (''Fraxinus excelsior''), [[Common hornbeam|hornbeam]] (''Carpinus betulus'') and [[Scots elm]] (''Ulmus glabra''). As a result of the increasingly continental climate on the eastern edge of the Harz, the common beech gives way to mixed forests of sessile oak.