Botanical Name: Fagus sylvatica
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Common Name: European Beech  
Plant photo of: Fagus sylvatica
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

40-60'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Park

 

Special Uses

Screen, Shade Tree

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: JJ Neilson Arboretum

  • Description

  • Notes

European beech is a large deciduous tree growing 50 to 60 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide, with a dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading crown. Trunks have distinctive bark that is thin, smooth, and gray. Leaves are oval and a lustrous green with wavy margins and prominent parallel veins. Foliage turns golden bronze in fall. Flowers are insignificant, but followed by triangular nuts enclosed by spiny bracts. Beechnuts ripen in fall and are edible. Many cultivars are available in commerce in a variety of different forms, leaf shapes and leaf colors.
Beeches are lovely trees, but are a little resentful of our hot, dry summers. Plant in loamy, well draining soil and mulch amply to keep roots cool. Does not do well in wet or heavily compacted soils. Interesting accent or specimen pant. See Guide for planting tips.