LIFE Prognoses aims to protect the European beech – sometimes called the “queen of trees” – for future generations. But what is on  Fagus sylvatica  , which Europeans love so much? Common beech once covered Europe from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, and beech forests – known as “stands” – still thrive across much of the continent. Fagus sylvatica, which can grow up to 50 meters and live up to 500 years, is a truly iconic species – indeed, a couple of respectable beech specimens took the top two spots in this year's  awarding of the European Tree of the Year. (More on cinea.ec.europa.eu)