Fagus sylvatica

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Plant
ID 339 Fagus sylvatica
Botanic Name Fagus sylvatica
Common Name English Beech, European Beech
Family Name Fagaceae
Cultivars 'Borneyensis','Cuprea','Heterophylla','Laciniata','Pendula','Fastigiata','Tortuosa' Purpurea, 'Red Obelisk', 'Asplenifolia', 'Zlatia'
Origin England and Europe prior to 1766, Zone 5-9
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Smooth
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use High
No. of Species 10
Growth Habit Broad domed Growth Rate Medium
Height 25 - 40 m (83 - 133 ft) Spread 20 m (67 ft)
Plant Overview
This deciduous tree has a conical habit when young and develops a stately broad crown with a silver-grey buttress trunk to 2 m (6 ft) wide. It has dark green oval leaves and the cup-shaped female flowers appear in a cluster during late spring.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Ovate
The ovate to elliptical young leaves are green and edged with silver hairs. When mature they have well marked parallel veins on the light green underside. The apex is acute and the pubescent petiole is 12 mm ( 1/2 in) long. Golden- yellow in autumn.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Crenate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 40 - 80 mm ( 1.6 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Staminate / Pistillate
The male flowers appear during spring as the new leaves are being formed and are arranged in little golden tassels on golden stalks. The female flowers are upright with pink and green tinged silver filaments forming a pendulous globose cluster.
Inflorescence Cluster or Fascicle
Colour Yellow - orange
Size 18 - 20 mm ( 0.7 - 0.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Nut (dim. nutlet) Additional Information
Colour Green - brown
Collectively known as 'mast', beechnuts are triangular, short and pointed with two to each bristly husk. The husks have 4 prickly lobes. The fruit matures in autumn and is commonly eaten by birds and squirrels.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 15 - 20 mm ( 0.6 - 0.8 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, deep moist loamy to chalky soil, organic rich, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Not normally grown as a container plant
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun, wind protected open position, frost tolerant, drought tender
Pest & Diseases Coral spot, woolly aphids, canker, oak leafminer, lichens, powdery mildew
Fertiliser Mulch during spring , keep moist with additional compost during establishment
Pruning Pruning will damage natural shape but it will tolerate a hard prune or pollarding if required
Cultural Uses Propagation
English Beech is long-lived (up to 400 years) and is planted in large gardens or parks as a lawn specimen for shade or in avenue plantings. It is suitable for inland and low-mountain regions establishing in 5 - 7 years.
The seeds should be stratified for 3 - 5 months at 5 C (41 F) then sown in container during spring and places in a protected environment. Graft onto two year old seedling stock during the winter months.
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