European Beech Seeds

Habitat

native to Europe
zone 4
tree has been in cultivation for a long time
Habit and Form

deciduous tree
broad pyramidal shape
trunk is short and branches generally touch ground
50′ to 60′ tall and up to 50′ wide
slow growth rate
fine to medium texture

Summer Foliage

alternate leaf arrangement
simple leaves with wavy entire margins
leaves are 2″ to 4″ long and approx. 2″ wide
glossy dark green leaf color, usually has a reddish tint
5 to 9 vein pairs

Autumn Foliage

reddish bronze leaf color in fall
very attractive
leaves tend to persist through winter

Flowers

monoecious
usually flowers in April or Early May
not ornamentally important
Fruit

triangular nut
nut is enclosed in a spiky involucre
4-lobed involucre usually contains 2 nuts
found singly on erect pedicels

Bark

light gray bark
smooth
wrinkled appearance to bark
stems are olive-brown in color

Culture

transplant during dormant season
moist, well-drained, acidic soil
does not like excessively wet soils
full sun best
shallow, wide root system
prune in early summer or early fall
Landscape Use

very attractive tree
specimen
naturalized areas
large open spaces
lawn tree
parks
golf courses
hedge, with heavy pruning

Liabilities

branches generally touch ground
grass tends not to grow under tree
does not like wet soils
tends to sucker
fruit can be a litter problem
few minor pest problems including: powdery mildew, aphids, canker, and beech bark disease
ID Features

wavy entire leaf margins
smooth, gray wrinkled bark
dead leaves persist on tree through winter
tree is very wide and branches generally touch ground
alternate leaf arrangement
three-winged fruit in a 4-lobed spiky involucre
long pointed buds
5 to 9 vein pairs

Propagation

by seed
by cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties

‘Asplenifolia’ (confused with and roughly similar to ‘Laciniata’) – This is a very common cultivar that bears cut leaves that are so fine as to appear fern-like (as with Asplenium, a fern genus). The leaves are lustrous green and may develop good yellow fall color. The habit is large and rounded.

‘Dawyck’ (also listed as ‘Dawyckii’ and ‘Fastigiata’) – This form originates from a tree found in Scotland. It is a fastigiate form with narrow form and upright branches, to 80′ tall and perhaps 15′ wide. The leaves are green on this selection.

‘Dawyck Gold’ and ‘Dawyck Purple’ – These two selections originate from ‘Dawyck’, but bear leaves that are yellow and purple, respectively.

‘Pendula’ (also known as f. pendula) – A cultivar that can differ markedly in appearance from specimen to specimen, ‘Pendula’ has weeping branches that may fall harshly or droop after extending outwards horizontally. Each individual tree is unique, and green leaves clothe specimens that can reach 50′ tall and wider.

‘Purple Fountain’ and ‘Purpurea Pendula’ – These cultivars are weeping forms with purple leaves. They bear upright trunks with branches that hang gracefully. Among the slowest-growing forms, they are typically much more narrow than tall.

‘Riversii’, ‘Rohanii’ and ‘Spaethiana’ (also listed as ‘Spathiana’) – This trio represents the most common forms of standard F. sylvatica with deep-purple leaves (often known as Copper Beech). The color can be deep-purple to approaching black in spring and early summer, but it may fade slightly as the season progresses. The habit is rounded and the plant may grow to 50′ tall and wide. These are very popular forms.

‘Roseomarginata’ (also listed as ‘Tricolor’ and ‘Purpurea Tricolor’) – This eye-catching selection is the most common variegated form of European beech. The leaves are purple with a wide margin of pink or cream, and the foliage is brightest in spring. By late summer, the lighter portions of the leaves may burn — thus the plant appreciates some shade. It is a slower grower, reaching 30′ tall in time.

‘Tortuosa’ (also listed as f. tortuosa) – This unusual form features contorted trunk and branches, giving the plant the look of a large weather-beaten bonsai. The leaves are green and not twisted. At maturity, the plant forms a large rounded mound of foliage to 15′ tall.