The Queen Beech or Harry Potter tree (now fallen) This pollarded beech, known as the "Queen Beech", in Frithsden Beeches on Berkhamsted Common is at least 350 years old. In 1866, it was at the centre of the battle of Berkhamsted Common. It was noted by the naturalist Richard Mabey in his book "Beechcombings" and "played" the Whomping Willow in the Harry Potter Film "The Prisoner of Azkaban."