How to Grow and Care for European beech

European beech, also known as Common beech, Copper beech, Weeping Beech, Beech

European beech is a hardy and low-maintenance tree suitable for a variety of temperate landscapes. Special care points include ensuring it's planted in well-drained soil with ample space to accommodate its large size and allowing it to grow in full sun to partial shade. Prune in late winter to maintain shape and health.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing European beech

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	5.5-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	4-7

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Varieties of European beech

Weeping European beech

Weeping European beech is a large (up to 15 m tall) and wide beech with drooping branches, smooth gray bark, and dark green elliptical foliage. The name 'Pendula' means 'hanging down' in Latin and refers to the drooping branches. This beech produces yellow-green flowers in the spring followed by edible fruits that ripen in the fall.

European beech 'Purpurea'

The european beech 'Purpurea' has a distinctive pyramidal crown and branches that reach the ground. Yellow-green flowers bloom in the spring and are followed by fruits that ripen in the fall. The name ‘Purpurea’ refers to this beech’s striking purple leaves that turn copper-red or bronze in autumn.

Fern-leaved beech

Fern-leaved beech is bred from the beech tree and its cultivar name refers to the leaves' resemblance to the spleenwort fern known as Asplenium. It is popular as a shade tree, and its unique foliage features pointed leaves that are cut into fernlike points and fade in the falll from dark green to a striking golden yellow.

European beech 'Dawyck'

Named after the Dawyck Botanic Garden located in the Scottish Borders, the european beech 'Dawyck' comes in three colors: purple, gold, and green. This version of the European beech has upright branches that give it a columnar shape that can reach up to 23 m high.

European beech 'Riversii'

European beech 'Riversii' is renowned for its striking purple foliage that transitions to coppery green. This robust variant of the common beech thrives in well-drained soils and appreciates a shady understory, often reaching impressive heights. In spring, young leaves exude elegance, while fall displays a remarkable seasonal shift in color, becoming a captivating aspect of temperate landscapes.

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More General Info About European beech

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European beech is distinguished by its large stature, reaching heights of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) and sporting a dense, upright, oval to rounded crown. Its bark is notably dark gray, smooth to the touch when young and developing textured ridges with age, resembling elephant skin. The glossy dark green leaves are oval to elliptic, with distinctive wavy margins and fine hair-like structures. During spring, the tree displays separate male and female flowers; the males manifest as drooping, long-stemmed, globular clusters, while the females are reddish-brown, short spikes. Come autumn, european beech bears edible, triangular nuts encased in spiny bracts.