fagus
( FA - gus )
At-A-Glance Information
This genus of deciduous trees, commonly called Beeches, need full sun or light shade and moderate to regular water to perform well. These are very handsome forest trees, typically have a broad conical shape, and have wide, sweeping lower branches (if left unpruned). Bark is gray and smooth in most species, and foliage is glossy and dark green. Nuts produced by these trees are small but edible. These are great shade trees, and create a vast fibrous root network under their canopy. The roots stay near the surface, making it difficult to plant other shrubs, grasses or flowers underneath them.
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Fagus Species and Varietals
The best growing zones for Fagus trees vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Fagus sylvatica 'Aspleniifolia' (Fagus sylvatica heterophylla 'Asplenifolia') (Fernleaf Beech)
Robust tree, reaching 50-80 feet tall and 40-45 feet wide, with delicate foliage that is deeply lobed. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' ('Fastigiata') (Dawyck Beech)
This is a narrow, upright species, reaching 35 feet tall and just 8 feet wide. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Gold'
This species is columnar, reaching 60 feet tall and just 20 feet wide. New foliage is yellow, matures to a light green, and yellows in fall. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple'
Reaches 70 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with purple foliage. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'
(Weeping Beech) This variety has an irregular, spreading form with twisting branches. It will grow wider rather than taller if left unstaked. Leaves are glossy and green. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'
Reaches 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with weeping branches; needs staking to become a more upright tree. Foliage is purple to purple-red. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Pendula' (Weeping Copper Beech)
This variety takes a weeping form with purple foliage. Usually reaches no taller than 10 feet and needs staking to form an upright habit. Great as a container plant. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Tricolor' ('Roseomarginata')
This is an upright, oval-shaped tree that reaches 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with purple leaves that are edged and striped in rose-pink and white. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'
(Copper Beech, Purple Beech) Foliage is purple; this tree reaches 50-60 feet tall and 35-45 feet wide. Great in containers. Seedlings are usually bronze-purple and turn bronze-green in summertime. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Rohan Obelisk'
('Red Obelisk') This is a columnar variety with dark purple-red foliage and leaves that vary between having smooth edges and deeply lobed edges. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Rohanii'
Leaves have wavy, scalloped edges. Foliage is green with brown-purple edges when young, and matures to a dark green. Fall color is reddish-purple to brown. |
Fagus sylvatica 'Ziatia' (Golden Beech)
New leaves are yellow, maturing to yellow-green. This variety is subject to sunburn, grows slowly, and is a good container plant. |
Caring for and pruning fagus Trees
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 318, Fagus (Beech)
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