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Hornbeam is very much the characteristic tree species of woodland in this part of Hertfordshire - often coppiced, or used in hedge-laying. When freshly sawn, the timber is oddly colourless - dull white, with a greyish tinge (the colour of candle-wax, you might say). Stumps in woodland are often affected by blue mould: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3437576