#11
Accession Number: 0011-0000
Common Name: European Beech
Latin Name: Fagus sylvatica
Family: Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Native Range: Central Europe to Caucasus
Height: 50–60 feet
Spread: 35–50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Yellowish-green
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Light Preference: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium
Notes: Works well as a shade tree; fruit is showy, edible; tolerates deer
Description: European Beech is a large, low-branching deciduous tree native to Europe. It has been a popular shade tree since colonists brought it tree to America in the 1700s. European Beech is smaller in size, has darker gray bark, and shorter leaves than American Beech. While the usual forms have dark green leaves that turn golden bronze in fall, copper forms feature copperish-purple foliage throughout the summer. European Beech produce triangular “beechnuts,” which are enclosed by spiny, husk-like bracts.
