European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a large deciduous tree often used for ornamental purposes. European beech trees tend to out-compete other tree species, due to its dense canopy and tolerance to shade. Its wood is highly valued and has a very diverse use, including making furniture, musical instruments, for construction, as firewood, charcoal, and plywood.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Fagus sylvatica, the European beech or common beech, is a large, graceful deciduous tree in the beech family with smooth silvery-gray bark, large leaf area, and a short trunk with low branches.
Fagus sylvatica is a large tree, capable of reaching heights of up to 50 meters (160 feet) tall and 3 m (10 ft) trunk diameter, though more typically 25–35 m (82–115 ft) tall and up to 1.5 m (5 ft) trunk diameter. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 4 m (13 ft) tall. Undisturbed, the European beech has a lifespan of 300 years; one tree at the Valle Cervara site was more than 500 years old—the oldest known in the northern hemisphere.
In cultivated forest stands trees are normally harvested at 80–120 years of age. 30 years are needed to attain full maturity (as compared to 40 for American beech). Like most trees, its form depends on the location: in forest areas, F. sylvatica grows to over 30 m (100 ft), with branches being high up on the trunk. In open locations, it will become much shorter (typically 15–24 m or 50–80 ft) and more massive.
The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire or with a slightly crenate margin, 5–10 centimetres (2–4 inches) long and 3–7 cm broad, with 6–7 veins on each side of the leaf (as opposed to 7–10 veins in F. orientalis). When created, there is one point at each vein tip, never any points between the veins. The buds are long and slender, 15–30 millimetres (5⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long and 2–3 mm (3⁄32–1⁄8 in) thick, but thicker (to 4–5 mm) where the buds include flower buds.
The leaves of beech are often not abscissed (dropped) in the autumn and instead remain on the tree until the spring. This process is called marcescence. This particularly occurs when trees are saplings or when plants are clipped as a hedge (making beech hedges attractive screens, even in winter), but it also often continues to occur on the lower branches when the tree is mature.
Small quantities of seeds may be produced around 10 years of age, but not a heavy crop until the tree is at least 30 years old. F. sylvatica male flowers are borne in the small catkins which are a hallmark of the Fagales order (beeches, chestnuts, oaks, walnuts, hickories, birches, and hornbeams). The female flowers produce beechnuts, small triangular nuts 15–20 mm (5⁄8–3⁄4 in) long and 7–10 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) wide at the base; there are two nuts in each cupule, maturing in the autumn 5–6 months after pollination. Flower and seed production is particularly abundant in years following a hot, sunny and dry summer, though rarely for two years in a row.
The European beech is the most abundant hardwood species in Austrian, German and Swiss forests. The native range extends from the north, in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Bulgaria, eastern parts of Russia, Romania, through Europe to France, southern England, Spain (on the Cantabrian, Iberian and Central mountain ranges), and east to northwest Turkey, where it exhibits an interspecific cline with the oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), which replaces it further east. In the Balkans, it shows some hybridisation with oriental beech; these hybrid trees are named Fagus × taurica Popl. [Fagus moesiaca (Domin, Maly) Czecz.]. In the southern part of its range around the Mediterranean, and Sicily, it grows only in mountain forests, at 600–1,800 m (1,969–5,906 ft) altitude.
European beech is a very popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens in temperate regions of the world. In North America, they are preferred for this purpose over the native F. grandifolia, which despite its tolerance of warmer climates, is slower growing, taking an average of 10 years longer to attain maturity. The town of Brookline, Massachusetts has one of the largest, if not the largest, grove of European beech trees in the United States. The 2.5-acre (1 ha) public park, called ‘The Longwood Mall’, was planted sometime before 1850 qualifying it as the oldest stand of European beeches in the United States.
It is frequently kept clipped to make attractive hedges.
II. Types of European Beech
There are several varieties of the European beech tree, including:
- Fagus sylvatica ‘Tricolor’: This cultivar features variegated leaves with a mix of pink, white, and green.
- Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’: This tree is known for its beautiful coppery purple foliage that turns to a copper-red in the fall.
- Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’: This cultivar is slightly smaller than the main species tree and has a weeping growth habit (like a weeping willow), with branches drooping toward the ground.
- Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’: The foliage on this cultivar emerges nearly black and turns to a purple-green throughout the growing season.
III. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
European beech trees can grow in full sun to partial shade. Full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days, is best for optimal growth. But the trees can tolerate slightly less light if need be.
Temperature and Humiidty
Mild temperatures are ideal for these trees; they don’t like extreme cold or heat. Likewise, they prefer a moderate humidity level. In high humidity, ensure that the trees have good soil drainage and sufficient air circulation among the branches. And in dry conditions, pay extra attention to keeping the soil evenly moist.
Watering
European beech trees like evenly moist, but not soggy, soil. And they’re fairly intolerant to drought conditions. So during hot weather and/or a stretch without rainfall, water your tree deeply as soon as the soil begins to dry out. The trees will benefit from a layer of mulch over their root area to help maintain soil moisture.
Soil
The trees thrive in rich, loose, loamy soil that has a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. They also require sharp soil drainage. They can tolerate various other soil types, including soil with a slightly alkaline pH, as long as there is good drainage.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer each spring following label instructions. Be sure to spread it under the tree’s entire canopy and extend about a foot beyond the canopy circumference to target the whole root zone. Compost mixed into the soil at the time of planting also can be beneficial for the tree.
Planting Instructions
Pruning
European beech trees don’t need much pruning, as they naturally grow in an attractive form. However, if branches are growing too close together and rubbing against one another, remove one of the branches to prevent bark damage. Also, remove suckers (the thin stems that sometimes grow from the base of the tree), as they can sap the tree’s energy. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before new leaves emerge. But any dead, damaged, or diseased branches should be removed whenever you spot them.
Propagation
While it is difficult, it is possible to propagate a European beech tree with cuttings. Here’s how:
- With a sharp, sterile instrument, cut a healthy shoot approximately 6 to 8 inches in length.
- Keep the cuttings moist until you are able to plant.
- Fill well-draining containers with a mix of soil and compost. Dip cuttings into a rooting hormone, then plant at least two inches apart.
- Water and place in a cool location with partial sunlight.
- Do not let it dry out completely and increase watering when weather warms up.
- Once rooted, plant the tree in the ground (the following spring).
Overwintering
European beech trees can withstand winter temperatures up to USDA zone 4. They require no special cold protection.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
These trees generally don’t have any major issues with pests or diseases. However, occasionally beech scales, aphids, and borers might infest a tree and cause leaf damage. If you notice an infestation, use a horticultural oil or insecticide as soon as possible.
Beech leaf disease can be an issue, which is caused by a nematode, Litylenchus. You may notice leaf damage or drop. Regularly inspect your trees to make sure they are free of disease. The best method to keep a tree healthy is prevention by maintaining its desired growing conditions.
Common Growing Issues
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice your European beech tree’s leaves yellowing, it might be due to overwatering. These trees don’t like to sit in overly soggy soil, so you’ll need to adjust the moisture levels.
Curling Leaves
Leaves may curl due to aphids feeding on them. You can opt for a horticultural oil or insecticide to help treat and prevent.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a large and common deciduous tree that has a broad spreading crown, so if you intend to grow it in your garden or landscape, make sure you give it plenty of space. Its dense growth lends it to use for hedging and screens when pruned. This tree is valued for its vigorous growth and attractive leaves. Grow this tree with alpine fir or deodar cedar for amazing fall color combinations.
- Culinary uses
The nuts are eaten by humans and animals. Slightly toxic to humans if eaten in large quantities due to the tannins and alkaloids they contain, the nuts were nonetheless pressed to obtain an oil in 19th-century England that was used for cooking and in lamps. They were also ground to make flour, which could be eaten after the tannins were leached out by soaking.
- Timber
The wood of the European beech is used in the manufacture of numerous objects and implements. Its fine and short grain makes it an easy wood to work with, easy to soak, dye, varnish and glue. Steaming makes the wood even easier to machine. It has an excellent finish and is resistant to compression and splitting and it is stiff when flexed.
Milling is sometimes difficult due to cracking. The density of the wood is 720 kilograms (1,590 pounds) per cubic meter. It is particularly well suited for minor carpentry, particularly furniture. From chairs to parquetry (flooring) and staircases, the European beech can do almost anything other than heavy structural support, so long as it is not left outdoors. Its hardness make it ideal for making wooden mallets and workbench tops. The wood rots easily if it is not protected by a tar based on a distillate of its own bark (as used in railway sleepers). It is better for paper pulp than many other broadleaved trees though is only sometimes used for this, the high cellulose content can also be spun into modal, which is used as a textile akin to cotton. The code for its use in Europe is fasy (from FAgus SYlvatica). Common beech is also considered one of the best firewoods for fireplaces.
