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Woody > Fagus > Fagus sylvatica > Fagus sylvatica

Fagus sylvatica


European Beech




Origin:  Native to Europe.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

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A spectacular tree that is very long lived under ideal conditions in the landscape. A broad canopied tree, this species must be given room to grow. Smooth grey bark, glossy, thin green leaves that can sometimes persist into the winter months on the tree after turning to a tawny brown.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

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Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Fagus
Species
sylvatica
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
6b - 7a
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6b
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 (observed growing well in H7)
Temperature (°C)
-20 to -15
Temperature (°F)
4 - 5
Height
15 - 30 m
Spread
11 - 15 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
April
General Description
A noble large tree which requires well drained soil. Tolerates moist soils, including chalk. Leaves turn golden-copper in autumn. When trimmed as hedge retains brown leaves through the winter.
Landscape
As a landscape tree or trained into a hedge.
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in partial-shade.
Shape
Densely pyramidal to oval or rounded.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
An immense tree, casting deep shade reaching 30 m in height. Smooth grey bark.
Pests
Coral spot.
Bark/Stem Description
Grey, smooth and usually develops an elephant hide appearance on old trunks.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Imbricate, slender 2 - 2.5 cm long, brown and shiny.
Leaf Description
Alternate, simple and 2 - 4 cm long. Acute, broadly cuneate or rounded at base, obscurely toothed and undulate. Lustrous dark green above and light green beneath.
Flower Description
Monoecious, male and female are separate on the same tree. Pistillate in 2 - 4 flowered spikes.
Fruit Description
Triangular nuts, hard, woody, 4-lobed husk covered with bristles and borne singly, standing erect.
Colour Description
Leaf colour is a shimmering green unmatched by any other tree, gradually changes to a lustrous dark green in summer and followed by golden bronze colours in autumn.
Texture Description
Fine when first leafing out, otherwise of medium texture in full foliage and winter.
Notable Specimens
Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Niagara Parks, Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (Hedge and mature trees). The University of Guelph Arboretum, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Hedge). Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
Propagation
Seed should be stratified for 3 - 5 months at 5°C or autumn sown.
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