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Fagus sylvatica

Fagus sylvatica

Common beech, European beech

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Description

Fagus sylvatica (common beech, European beech) is the king of the forests in the temperate climate of Europe. This dominant large tree grows in particular in beech woods without underplanting although can also be found in mixed woodland. The formidable species grows slowly but can ultimately attain a height of 35 metres with a very densely branched and egg-shaped to round crown. Exceptional specimens, and also the largest beeches in the world, with an ultimate height of 46 metres, can be found on the fertile loamy soils of the Sonian Forest near Brussels. Belgium. 

The glossy, slightly undulating and smooth-edged leaf of Fagus sylvatica emerges bright green and changes to dark green in summer and in the autumn the tree puts on a dazzling display to end the year with beautiful yellow to orange autumnal foliage. The beech also stands out especially in winter thanks to its finely branching structure and mighty trunk, and the characteristic grey, smooth and fine bark. Fagus sylvatica bears inconspicuous pale-yellow male and female catkins at the end of May and early June. The beech nuts which appear in the autumn are a very familiar sight to all however with their bristly husk and are consumed by, among others, birds and small mammals. 

Fagus sylvatica is a real climax tree which will thrive in shaded sites on fertile, damp soils. The tree is sensitive to drought, wet and compaction. Nevertheless, it grows on diverse soil types and also on chalky soils provided they are rich in nutrients and permeable. Since the beech creates a lot of shade not many plants will grow beneath it. Fagus sylvatica is always used a lot as a majestic, solitary tree in parks and avenues. Its precious timber means the beech is widely planted in woods and landscapes where it is also of great significance ecologically. Fagus sylvatica is greatly suited for use in topiary and, therefore, also obtainable in espalier or hedge form. 

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees trees for climbing shade trees characteristic trees woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval beehive fval block fval cylinder fval trapezium fval pyramid fval cone fval roof-trained fval level fval multi-stem umbrella fval pleached

Topiary

beehive beehive globe globe egg-shaped egg-shaped cylinder cylinder block block column column trapezium trapezium cone cone hedge hedge hedge element hedge element archway archway pleached pleached bonsai bonsai

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation large garden cemetery countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

food forest shade-tolerant prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

20 - 25 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 7B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Fagus sylvatica? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Fagus sylvatica standard tree
feathered feathered
Fagus sylvatica feathered
feathered feathered
Fagus sylvatica feathered
multi-stem multi-stem
Fagus sylvatica multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Fagus sylvatica multi-stem
beehive-stem beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
beehive-stem beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
beehive-stem beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
pleached-stem pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
pleached-stem pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
pleached-stem pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
pleached-stem pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
pleached-stem pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
beehive beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
beehive beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
beehive beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
beehive beehive
Fagus sylvatica beehive
bowl bowl
Fagus sylvatica bowl
column column
Fagus sylvatica column
archway archway
Fagus sylvatica archway
archway archway
Fagus sylvatica archway
archway archway
Fagus sylvatica archway
archway archway
Fagus sylvatica archway
bonsai bonsai
Fagus sylvatica bonsai
bonsai bonsai
Fagus sylvatica bonsai
bonsai bonsai
Fagus sylvatica bonsai
pleached pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
pleached pleached
Fagus sylvatica pleached
leaves leaves
Fagus sylvatica leaves
leaves leaves
Fagus sylvatica leaves
leaves leaves
Fagus sylvatica leaves
leaves leaves
Fagus sylvatica leaves
leaves leaves
Fagus sylvatica leaves
fruits fruits
Fagus sylvatica fruits
fruits fruits
Fagus sylvatica fruits
fruits fruits
Fagus sylvatica fruits
fruits fruits
Fagus sylvatica fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Fagus sylvatica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Fagus sylvatica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Fagus sylvatica autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Fagus sylvatica autumn leaves
bark bark
Fagus sylvatica bark
bark bark
Fagus sylvatica bark
bark bark
Fagus sylvatica bark
bark bark
Fagus sylvatica bark
twigs twigs
Fagus sylvatica twigs

Seasonal colours

Fagus sylvatica seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

discrete small

Flower colour

daffodil

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds bright green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid polished undulate

Autumn colour

yellow-orange brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

edible small husk

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

bare zigzagging

Root system

Root system

shallow compact central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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