The copper beech (bot. Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) is often grown in parks because of its decorative foliage. There it forms an attractive contrast to green-leaved trees. The copper beech is also very popular as a hedge. Interesting facts about this beautiful deciduous tree.

The copper beech grows up to 40 meters high

The copper beech - a profile

  • Botanical name: Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea
  • Common name: purple beech
  • Plant Family: Beech Family (Fagaceae)
  • Tree species: Deciduous, deciduous
  • Occurrence: Central Europe, forests, culture in parks and rarely in gardens
  • Height: 30 to 40 meters
  • Trunk: smooth, grey
  • Annual growth: about 50 centimeters
  • Wood colour: fresh wood reddish (therefore red beech)
  • Root: Central root, not too deep, but widely branched
  • Leaf: ovate, slightly toothed
  • Foliage color: red-brown until autumn, orange-red in the 2nd to 3rd week of November, then green
  • Age: up to 300 years, occasionally older.
  • Flowering time: May
  • First flowering: from the age of 30
  • Fertilization: unisex, dioecious
  • Flower color: inconspicuous, pointed, reddish flower, appears when the leaves shoot out
  • Fruit: prickly pericarp with two to four beechnuts, slightly poisonous
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
  • Use: solitary tree in parks, copper beech hedge

Why are the leaves of the copper beech reddish brown?

The deciduous tree owes the decorative dark red-brown color of the leaves, which turn to a bright red in autumn, to a mistake in nature.

The leaves contain an excessively high proportion of the red pigment cyanidin. It drowns out the amount of green pigments, so that the leaves shine in a beautiful dark red.

In autumn, the leaves first turn a bright orange-red, then turn green before falling. In the spring, however, red leaves sprout again.

Plant copper beech as a hedge

Copper beeches are very popular as hedge plants because they grow very quickly and form an opaque hedge from May to October.

However, copper beech hedges often have to be trimmed twice a year, otherwise they quickly lose their shape.

Like all beeches, copper beeches tolerate pruning very well, so they can also be cared for as bonsai.

tips

The care of the copper beech is no different from that of other beeches. It is important that waterlogging is avoided, since the root of the heart begins to rot if it is constantly wet. The soil must therefore be well loosened and, if necessary, drained before planting.

Category:

Trees