Beech tree	Beech forest	Beech trees	Beech tree
Beech forest	Forest floor	Trees & Moss	Beech forest

Beech is the second major forest type in New Zealand. This forest becomes more complex with higher rainfall, as found on the west of the Southern Alps. The forests growth appears more luxuriant, largely as a result of the profusion of lichens, mosses, liverworts and moss-like filmy-ferns clothing the forest floor, trunks and branches of the trees. These lush Beech forests are sometimes swathed in mist.

Beech forests are common in the South Island but also grow in the North Island at higher altitudes.