Behind the fascinating name "blood beech" or "purple beech" (bot. Fagus sylvatica 'Atropurpurea') is an enchanting mutation of the native red beech with strong dark purple leaves, which, like any other beech species, remain on the tree throughout the winter and only be discarded in spring. The vigorous, robust deciduous tree with the striking leaf color is ideal for a hedge in the garden.

The copper beech hedge forms dense, wine-red foliage

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowers and flowering time
  6. fruit
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. floor
  9. Plant copper beech hedge correctly
  10. Pour copper beech hedge
  11. Fertilize the copper beech hedge properly
  12. Cut copper beech hedge correctly
  13. Increase copper beech hedge
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The common beech, which is widespread throughout Europe, and its sister, the copper beech, are widespread throughout Europe - the mutated, red-leaved form is of course much less common. The blood or purple beech was accidentally discovered in the 15th century and has been cultivated ever since. Like every copper beech, this variant also feels at home in the rather cool and humid regions of Central Europe.

    use

    Because of its picturesque coloring and overhanging crowns, the copper beech is often found in parks and cemeteries in particular. In private gardens, on the other hand, the huge deciduous tree causes a sensation less as a solitary tree and more as a copper beech hedge - after all, the tree is both pruning-tolerant and easy to care for and, thanks to its healthy growth and good educability, makes an excellent privacy and wind protection hedge.

    appearance and growth

    Like its closely related red beech, the copper beech is a mighty deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 meters high and develop an equally wide, arched crown. Characteristic are the silver-grey branches, which bend downwards in an arc and thus offer a picturesque sight in combination with the dark red foliage. However, the species is not only suitable as a copper beech hedge because of its leaves, but above all because of its fast growth - annual growth of 40 to 50 centimeters is not uncommon - and its good tolerance to pruning.

    leaves

    Of course, the leaves are the most striking thing about the picturesque copper beech, especially since they change color several times during the growing season. When they sprout, the leaves look copper-colored to finally shine in a dark Bordeaux red or even black-red. This atypical coloring is the result of a lack of enzymes that break down the red pigment anthocyanin in the leaves, making them appear green. However, as the year progresses, the showy color fades and the foliage gradually turns green. Otherwise, the leaves are similar to those of the common beech, are ovate and slightly wavy and arranged alternately.

    flowers and flowering time

    Copper beeches do not bloom until they are around 30 years old, and therefore also fruit, which is why your freshly planted copper beech hedge will probably not develop either one or the other. Basically, the tree is sexually monoecious, i. H. male and female flowers are on the same specimen. While the male flowers, which are up to two inches long, hang down, the pink female flowers stand upright. The flowering period is in April and May.

    fruit

    Every child is probably familiar with the prickly fruit cups, the so-called beechnuts. They contain small, oval to square nuts that are edible for both humans and animals. However, you should only snack on small amounts because they contain small amounts of oxalic acid and fagin.

    Which location is suitable?

    In terms of location, the native copper beech is pleasingly uncomplicated, as it grows in sunny, semi-shady or even shady locations. However, the beautiful leaf coloring is all the stronger in bright places and is less developed in the shade.

    floor

    Basically, the sunnier the copper beech is, the fresher the subsoil should be - the tree does not cope well with drought. It prefers a nutrient-rich, loamy soil that is fresh to moist. The pH value should ideally be in the alkaline range, with copper beeches growing well even in slightly acidic soil between 5 and 7.5. Waterlogging should be avoided, as should prolonged drought, as the copper beech hedge cannot develop healthily under such conditions and, in the worst case, dies.

    Plant copper beech hedge correctly

    The best time to plant the copper beech hedge is autumn, when the temperature is still mild and the ground is not frozen - especially since the more frequent rainfall favors rapid growth in the new location. For a copper beech hedge, it is best to use bare-root goods or heisters that have already been transplanted several times, although container plants can also be used in principle. These, in turn, can still be planted in the spring. For a hedge you need about two to three copper beeches per square meter, which are placed at a distance of 50 centimeters at the chosen location. The copper beech hedge is planted as follows:

    • Determine the location and length of the hedge
    • Mark these with a straight string.
    • Dig planting holes 50 centimeters apart.
    • If necessary, incorporate a drainage layer of gravel.
    • Mix excavation with compost.
    • Use blood beeches.
    • Plant support rods to reduce the risk of breakage
    • These can be removed again after rooting has taken place.
    • Pour in the earth and tamp down well.
    • Water vigorously to encourage rooting

    If you like variety, do not plant a pure copper beech hedge, but combine the red-leaved species with the green-leaved copper beech. The plants require the same conditions in terms of location and care, which is why socialization is not a problem.
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    Pour copper beech hedge

    The copper beech does not like drought or waterlogging, which is why the copper beech hedge should only be additionally watered after planting and during dry and hot summer days. Mulching the root area (e.g. with bark mulch) keeps the moisture in the soil and prevents the soil from drying out.

    Fertilize the copper beech hedge properly

    Mulching with bark mulch, leaves or compost not only keeps the soil moist, but also supplies the copper beech hedge with valuable nutrients. In addition, you can organically fertilize the trees from March to July with mature compost and, if necessary, horn shavings (€32.93) to encourage healthy growth. However, this measure should not really be necessary in a location with humus-rich and well-drained soil. Since copper beeches are also quite sensitive to over-fertilization, you should avoid mineral fertilizers.

    Cut copper beech hedge correctly

    In order to grow an opaque copper beech hedge, you should cut it back evenly once or twice a year. The first cut takes place in suitable, mild weather between the middle and the end of February. Now cut the hedge back to the desired height and width, using strings as an aid. Also make sure that the hedge is wider at the bottom than at the top - the trapezoidal shape ensures that the leaves get enough light even in the lower area. Otherwise, they would quickly become bald. From the beginning of March you should no longer prune because of the beginning of the bird breeding season, and severe pruning measures are now prohibited by law anyway. Around June 24 - St. John's Day - the first brood is usually grown up and has already flown, which is why you can now reach for the scissors again. Now cut the young twigs in half to achieve more branching.

    Incidentally, older and already bare copper beech hedges can be rejuvenated and given shape again quite well, since the species is very capable of regeneration.

    Increase copper beech hedge

    Anyone who enjoys propagating the copper beech by hand should try their luck with cuttings. Since the trees develop flowers and seeds very late, these are difficult to obtain when collecting - especially since seed cultivation takes significantly longer than the vegetative form of propagation. This works as follows:

    • Spring is the best time.
    • Cut off a shoot that is not yet fully woody.
    • This should have about three to four dormant eyes (i.e. buds).
    • Defoliate the lower part of the cutting.
    • Plant them individually in a pot with a well-moistened growing medium.
    • Place the pot in a light (but not direct sun!) spot.
    • Spray the cuttings regularly with water from a spray bottle.

    As soon as the first new shoots develop, the young copper beech has developed roots and can soon be planted in a larger pot or directly outdoors. Water the cuttings regularly with willow water to promote rooting.

    hibernate

    Special hibernation measures are not necessary because the native species is absolutely hardy. Leave the withered leaves on the hedge, they will be shed by themselves in the spring when they sprout again. Autumn is also the right time to apply fresh mulch material.

    diseases and pests

    Diseases and pests rarely occur on the robust copper beech. The following infections are particularly typical:

    • Leaf browning: wilting leaves, especially in damp weather, fungal disease, be sure to remove fallen leaves to avoid reinfection
    • Beech cotton aphid: can be fought very well with nettle broth and natural enemies such as lacewings or ladybirds
    • Beech leaf gall midge: Larvae overwinter in the foliage, which is why the fallen foliage must be removed

    tips

    If the copper beech hedge shows discolored leaves or curled shoots, these signs are usually due to pest or fungal infestation. Diseases, on the other hand, occur mainly in trees that have been weakened by unsuitable care or a wrong location, which is why you should eliminate the cause (e.g. wet soil) in addition to the symptoms - the disease or the pest.

    species and varieties

    There are different cultivated forms of the copper beech, which have slightly different properties. The 'Atropunicea' variety, for example, is either propagated from seed or sold as a graft, while 'Purpurea' is grown exclusively from seeds. The vegetative refinement makes it possible to completely transfer the parental traits to the next generation, which is not possible with seedling propagation for genetic reasons. Copper beeches grown from seedlings therefore often have different shades of red and turn green over the course of the summer. So if you value an evenly dark red copper beech hedge, you should use refined tree nursery stock. The 'Swat Magret' variety also has a particularly beautiful, dark ruby red colour.

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Trees