- Red beeches are absolutely hardy
- In the case of the common beech, the pre-winter dormancy begins early
- Lay out a layer of mulch in the fall
European beeches are native deciduous trees that can cope well with sub-zero temperatures. Nevertheless, you should not completely neglect young beech trees in winter. How to prepare the trees for the cold season and what care beech trees need in winter.
The red beech does not need any special winter protection
Red beeches are absolutely hardy
Being native plants, beech trees tolerate minus temperatures down to minus 30 degrees without any problems. Older copper beeches do not need any winter protection or care in winter. They have an extensive root system with which they are self-sufficient.
You should treat a young copper beech that has just been planted to some winter protection. Spread a layer of mulch and protect the trunk with burlap or sticks during very cold temperatures.
Since the young trees have not yet been able to form any root system worth mentioning, you should occasionally water the tree even in winter when it is very dry. Only water it on a frost-free day.
In the case of the common beech, the pre-winter dormancy begins early
After the last budding in July, the common beech begins to prepare for the winter, it goes into pre-winter dormancy. For this reason, a copper beech may no longer be cut from August.
Fertilizing should also be done by mid-August at most.
If the beech is later pruned or fertilized, this will stimulate renewed budding. However, the young twigs no longer mature and are therefore not hardy. They freeze to death in sub-zero temperatures.
Lay out a layer of mulch in the fall
The only major problem European beeches have in winter is the water supply. In very dry winters, the soil can dry out and cause lasting damage to the common beech.
To prevent dehydration, laying a layer of mulch is off
- autumn leaves
- compost
- lawn clippings
- garden waste
sensible. The ceiling keeps the moisture in the ground. It also offers the garden beneficials a place to hibernate. Over the course of the year, the material decomposes and releases nutrients that provide the beech with a good supply.
tips
If a lot of snow falls, this can be a problem for a copper beech. If the snow stays on the branches, they break off under the weight. In areas with a lot of snow, you should cut a beech tree in the garden to a point so that the snow masses can slide off.