The Faux de Verzy are spectacular trees with a very slow growth rate and an exceptional lifespan (of up to 500 years). They do not exceed 10 metres in height, and are 3 times smaller than their big brothers, the beech.
In summer, they look like large green balls. The fau spreads its leaves in a very dense parasol, creating an igloo shape. In winter, its sinuous branches, which grow horizontally and intertwine, are revealed.
These dwarf beeches are a real enigma for scientists who do not know where their unusual form comes from. Researchers agree that they are the result of a genetic mutation in the beech tree, without really knowing more.
For the past thirty years, this species has been in decline due to global warming, which reverses their mutation. Are they destined to disappear?
