Beeches are easy-care trees that attract attention in autumn with their beautifully colored foliage. The beech no longer needs care in autumn. However, this time of year is particularly suitable as a planting time for beeches.

Beeches wear a bright dress of leaves in autumn

The autumn leaves of the beech

One of the distinctive features of beeches is their foliage. It is green in summer, although the beech is also called red beech. Only copper beeches have red or red-green leaves.

In autumn the foliage turns a brilliant yellow-orange. The color is particularly intense in mid-November.

  • Beeches are deciduous
  • Foliage green or red in summer
  • Autumn leaves yellow-orange
  • Leaves stay on the tree for a long time

Most beech species leave their leaves on the tree throughout the winter. They only fall off when the new leaves sprout. Experienced gardeners simply leave the fallen leaves under the beech. It forms a good mulch layer and provides the tree with important nutrients.

Autumn is the best time to plant beeches

If you want to plant a beech or create a beech hedge, you should do it in autumn. Autumn is the best time to plant beeches. The trees then have enough time to prepare for the winter.

The soil is well moist so that the roots cannot dry out. If necessary, beeches can also be set in spring. But then they have to be watered frequently.

Do not prune or fertilize beech in autumn

In contrast to many other deciduous trees, beech trees are neither pruned nor fertilized in autumn. The last cut should be done at the end of July / beginning of August. There is also no more fertilization after August.

By pruning and fertilizing, the beech would sprout again. However, the new shoots are no longer mature enough to survive a cold snap.

Winter protection only necessary for young beeches

You should provide young beeches with a light winter protection in autumn. With older trees, this precaution is no longer absolutely necessary. However, it makes sense to cover the soil with a layer of mulch to prevent the soil from drying out.

tips

The blossoms and leaves of the beech are created in summer and autumn. Beeches do not flower until they are 20 to 30 years old. They only produce germinable seeds from the age of 30 to 40 years.

Category:

Trees