Fagus sylvatica

Large, powerful tree with dense foliage, 25-30 (40) m tall, 10-15 (25) m wide, broadly domed crown, usually with leader and arching to horizontal branches, twigs hanging to the ground when free-standing, moderate to fast-growing, 40-60 (80) cm a year.

Smooth, silvery grey.

Triangular beechnuts in soft, thorny capsules, flowers inconspicuous.

Ovoid, somewhat wavy, early shoots in April, fresh green; later medium-green; splendid yellow-orange in autumn, from beginning of October; brown leaves sometimes persistent through winter.

Cordate or shallow roots with the greatest root density of all European trees; aggressive, but sensitive to all kinds of intervention.

Sun to shade, can wait for light for a long time in the shade of other trees; sensitive when old to sudden exposure (bark blight); sensitive to heat, average frost hardiness; somewhat sensitive to late frost; avoids dry soil and low humidity; wind resistant; sensitive to industrial air pollution.

All somewhat nutritious substrates, fresh to moist, slightly acidic to alkaline, loamy; sensitive to salt and soil pollution of all kinds.

The common beech is used almost exclusively as a hedge when cut. Its regenerative powers (like Carpinus betulus) and the persistence of its leaves into spring make it good for a variety of purposes.

Zone 5b