European beech is a large, graceful tree appropriate for large properties like parks and golf courses. Known for its smooth silvery gray bark, short trunk and a low branching habit.
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All common names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- City parkway,
- Wide median
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Parkway/street,
- Shade tree,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily),
- Partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7
Soil Preference:
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Alkaline soil
Acid Soils:
- Moderately Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Intolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Intolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Intolerant
Ornamental Interest:
- Fall color,
- Edible fruit,
- Attractive bark
Seasons of Interest:
- early winter,
- midwinter,
- early fall,
- mid fall,
- late fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Inconspicuous
Shape or Form:
- Pyramidal,
- Round
Growth Rate:
- Slow
Transplants Well:
- Yes
Wildlife:
- Cavity-nesting birds,
- Game birds,
- Small mammals,
- Songbirds
More Information:
Size & Form
Dense, upright oval habit with low sweeping branches on a short trunk.
Trees reach 50 to 60 feet high and 35 to 45 feet wide.
Tree & Plant Care
Best in full sun to part shade in well drained soils. Tolerant of higher pH soils than American beech.
Does not tolerate wet or compacted soil; drought sensitive and must be watered well in dry periods.
Benefits with a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuation.
Avoid foot traffic over the root system.
Trees are long-lived.
Disease, pests, and problems
Cankers can be a problem.
Native geographic location and habitat
Native to Europe.
Bark color and texture
Bark is smooth gray with an elephant-hide appearance.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Alternate, simple leaves, 2 to 5 inches long with shallow teeth; attractive glossy dark green
Fall color is russet or bronze often persisting into winter.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size
Inconspicuous; separate male and female flowers on the same tree.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
Edible beechnuts, 3-winged, triangular shape; usually two nuts in a prickly husk.
Cultivars and their differences
Fern-leaved European beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Asplenifolia'): A graceful, dark green, cut-leaved foliage which turns a golden brown in fall; reaches 60 feet high and 50 feet wide. Often confused with 'Laciniata'.
Dawyck Purple Leaved beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple'): A narrow tree reaching 30 to 40 feet high and 10 to 12 feet wide with purple foliage.
Upright European beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Fastigiata'): Columnar, upright beech reaching 45 feet high and 15 feet wide with dark green leaves.
Red Obelisk European beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Red Obelisk'): A narrow, columnar habit with purple leaves reaching 35 feet high and 12 feet wide.
River’s Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’) : A purple-leaved selection featuring large glossy leaves; foliage emerges deep purple in spring, fades to purple-green in summer and finally turns copper in autumn; 50 to 60 feet high and 45 feet wide.
Tricolor European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Tricolor’) : This cultivar has purple leaves with an irregular rose and pinkish white border; smaller than the species (30 feet tall). Light shade during the heat of the day is needed to keep the light colored leaf edges from burning.
Weeping European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’): A weeping form with variable shape reaching 40 feet high and 30 feet wide. There is also a weeping purple form.