Scientific Name: Fagus sylvatica
Common Name: European beech
Native Range: Central Europe to Caucasus
Zone: 4 to 7
Plant type & Form: Tree, dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading crown
Height: 50.00 to 60.00 feet
Spread: 35.00 to 50.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Yellowish-green
Flower: male flowers are drooping, long-stemmed, globular clusters and the female flowers are short spikes
Fruit: Showy, Edible, triangular nuts enclosed by spiny bracts, called beechnuts
Leaf: Ovate to elliptic, lustrous dark green leaves (to 4” long) have wavy mostly toothless margins and prominent parallel veins. Foliage turns golden bronze in fall.
Bark: thin, smooth and gray
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Soil type & pH: Best grown in deep, rich, moist but well-drained soils. Intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: A large tree for a large space. Excellent shade tree for large lawns and parks.
Tolerates: Deer
Notes: Many cultivars are available in commerce in a variety of different forms, leaf shapes and leaf colors.
Identification notes: European beech is primarily distinguished from the similar American beech (Fagus grandifolia) by (a) smaller size, (b) darker gray bark, and (c) shorter leaves that have wavy mostly untoothed margins.
