Fagus sylvatica, European beech
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Fagus sylvatica

European beech

Fagaceae

Central and western Europe from southern England to Ukraine, Scandinavia to the Mediterranean

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height50-80 feet (15-24 m)
Width40-60 feet (12-18 m)
Maturity40 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Fagus sylvatica (European beech) is a majestic large deciduous tree native to central and western Europe, reaching 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall and 40–60 feet (12–18 m) wide in a broadly domed to ovate crown of exceptional grandeur. It is among the most stately and long-lived of all hardy temperate trees, with individual specimens documented at 300+ years of age and fine old trees common throughout European parks and estates. The most instantly recognizable feature is the bark: remarkably smooth, pale silver-gray, and unblemished — it remains this way even on very old trees with massive trunks, unlike virtually any other large hardwood. The leaves are alternate, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, ovate with wavy margins and 5–9 pairs of prominent parallel veins; they emerge in spring covered in silky silver hairs, mature to glossy dark green, and turn rich copper-bronze to golden-yellow in fall. A distinctive characteristic is marcescence: the dead brown leaves on young trees and on the lower branches of all ages are retained through winter rather than dropping, providing a rustling copper display against the smooth gray trunk until spring. Winter buds are diagnostic: slender, pointed, and cigar-shaped — ¾ inch (19 mm) long — distinctly elegant. Beech nuts (mast) ripen in October in spiny four-valved husks (cupules); in mast years they fall in great abundance and are an important wildlife food. Great Plant Picks endorsed. Virginia Tech Dendrology source (url_6) is authoritative.

Native Range

Native to central and western Europe from southern England and northern Spain east to Poland and the Ukraine, and from southern Scandinavia south to Sicily and Greece. The defining tree of the European mixed deciduous forest.

Suggested Uses

A legacy tree of the highest caliber — Great Plant Picks endorsed for large PNW gardens, parks, and estates. The smooth silver-gray bark, elegant cigar-shaped winter buds, silky spring leaf emergence, lustrous summer canopy, copper-bronze fall color, and winter marcescence provide genuine four-season interest. Best as a long-term specimen where 50–80 feet (15–24 m) of height and 40–60 feet (12–18 m) of spread can eventually develop. The PNW maritime climate suits European beech exceptionally well — fine specimens exist throughout western Washington and Oregon. Beech hedges are a traditional European landscape feature and perform beautifully in the PNW — clip in August to retain the attractive dead copper-brown leaves through winter. Combines well with spring bulbs in the turf zone at the drip line.

How to Identify

Identified at any season by the smooth, pale silver-gray bark that remains unblemished and unridged even on very large, old trunks — unlike any other common large deciduous tree. In winter: slender, pointed, cigar-shaped buds ¾ inch (19 mm) long at the tips of smooth gray branchlets, with dead copper-brown leaves (marcescence) often retained on younger wood. In spring: emerging leaves covered in silky silver hairs. Summer leaves are ovate, glossy dark green, with wavy margins and 5–9 pairs of prominent parallel veins. Beech nuts in spiny four-valved husks (cupules) ripen in October. The smooth gray bark + cigar bud combination is unmistakable.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
yellow
brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Wind-pollinated flowers emerge with the leaves in April through May — female flowers are paired in small spiny involucres, male flowers in pendulous round catkins 1 inch (2.5 cm) — both inconspicuous and not ornamentally significant. Triangular beech nuts (mast) in spiny four-valved husks 0.75 inch (19 mm) across ripen in October and fall in abundance in mast years (which occur every 2–5 years with full crops between lighter years). Mast is relished by squirrels, jays, pigeons, deer, and other wildlife. Fall leaf color is warm copper-bronze to golden-yellow in October through November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

inconspicuous (wind-pollinated; male catkins pendulous)

Foliage Description

glossy dark green in summer; copper-bronze to golden-yellow in fall; dead copper-brown retained through winter (marcescence) on young wood

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsiltclaychalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

30-50 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in well-drained, moist, fertile soil in full sun to light shade. Beech is notably intolerant of compacted soil, waterlogging, and road salt — do not plant in areas subject to these stresses, as root damage causes slow decline. The roots spread extensively and shallowly; avoid soil compaction in the root zone and do not attempt to grow grass under mature beeches (the dense shade and shallow roots make this impractical). Beech prefers slightly acid to neutral pH (5.5–7.5); strongly alkaline conditions cause chlorosis. The PNW's cool, moist climate is well-suited to European beech. Woolly beech aphid (Phyllaphis fagi) can produce white fluffy wax colonies on leaf undersides in summer — usually tolerable and managed by natural predators. Beech bark disease (Neonectria fungi following beech scale infestation) is a significant problem in eastern North America; not currently widespread in PNW but worth monitoring.

Pruning

Prune in late summer (August through September) when the tree is fully leafed and wounds heal more quickly and are less susceptible to beech bark disease entry. Do not prune in spring when sap is rising or in early summer. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Large cuts should be minimized; if necessary, make clean cuts with sharp tools. Young trees can be trained to a single central leader with competing leaders removed in August through September. Beech tolerates clipping and can be maintained as a formal hedge; hedges are best clipped in August after the spring growth flush hardens.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic