Common beech – Fagus sylvatica – profile and care

It welcomes spring with fresh green leaves on branches with a reddish tinge. Its dense foliage provides welcome shade in summer and turns into a bright, colorful spectacle in autumn. As the most common deciduous tree in Germany, the common beech has long since conquered the hearts of enthusiastic hobby gardeners. In park-like areas, the Fagus sylvatica characterizes the appearance as a solitaire with a representative silhouette. Its presence as a meter-high hedge to protect house and yard is in no way inferior to this. In the natural garden, it offers animals food and shelter. Who can still turn a blind eye to this masterpiece of Mother Nature, especially since care is not a tough nut to crack?

Characteristics

  • Beech family (Fagaceae).
  • Genus of beeches (Fagus).
  • Identification of the species Fagus sylvatica.
  • Deciduous tree up to 30 meters tall.
  • Flat cardiac roots with widely branched extension.
  • Silver-grey, smooth bark, reddish tinged.
  • Ovate, toothed leaves changing from fresh green to dark green.
  • Green-brown flowers in April and May at the same time as the leaves shoot.
  • Furious yellow-orange and red-brown foliage in autumn.
  • Beechnut fruits in a prickly shell in autumn.
  • Other designations: common beech, red beech, beech.

The first flowers usually appear from the age of 30. The nuts, called beechnuts, which are so coveted in the animal kingdom, form for the first time between the ages of 40 and 80. Raw consumption is not recommended for humans as they are slightly toxic.

soil condition

A quick look at the natural occurrence of beech forests shows that it is a remarkably site-tolerant tree species. The common beech can be found on the calcareous soils of the Swabian Alp and the Alps, in the nutrient-rich soil of the Vosges and last but not least in the poor, acidic soil of the North German plains.

  • The beech thrives in almost any soil as long as there is no waterlogging.
  • Dry sandy soils or regions with longer periods of drought are unsuitable.
  • A minimum annual rainfall of 650 mm is required.

The most magnificent trees develop in nutrient-rich soil with a moderate moisture content with a pH between 5 and 8.

Note: With the compacted soil on new properties, the common beech has problems growing due to its shallow root system. Intensive loosening of the soil is recommended.

lighting conditions and temperature

The assertiveness of a beech is based, among other things, on its robust shade tolerance when young. This gives the deciduous tree a competitive advantage over competing trees, coupled with a rapid growth rate of 40 cm per year. Over the years, shade tolerance decreases and the need for light increases. By then, with good care, the Fagus sylvatica will have reached a height where it towers over other trees. However, this fact must be considered when considering cultivation as a hedge.

  • Best growth as a tree under all light conditions.
  • Sunny to semi-shady position as a privacy hedge.
  • An annual average temperature above 8° Celsius is desirable.

While a young beech does well with shady conditions, when it is old it provides plenty of shade under a spreading crown with a diameter of up to 20 metres. This circumstance should be taken into account when choosing a location or when deciding on suitable underplanting.

watering and fertilizing

A moderate moisture requirement characterizes the common beech, as is characteristic of a large number of native plants.

  • Water repeatedly during dry summer periods.
  • If the tree disc dries, it is poured.
  • In spring, autumn and winter, the natural rainfall is sufficient.

Although the Fagus sylvatica prefers to thrive in slightly acidic soil, it easily tolerates calcareous water from the tap.

Note: If frost occurs in winter (severe frost without snowfall), the deciduous tree is at risk of drought stress. In this case, the gardener waters on a frost-free day.

The growth phase extends from March to autumn. During this time, the common beech consumes a large amount of energy, which the prudent gardener compensates for by adding nutrients.

  • Apply fertilizer regularly from the beginning of March to the beginning of August.
  • Optionally use long-term preparations or compost with horn shavings.
  • Apply the fertilizer directly to the root area.

After a possible St. John’s sprout, the red beech stops growing for this year’s season from August/September. The application of fertilizer is now stopped because the tree would no longer process the nutrients. If budding is delayed, the branches will not mature and are helplessly at the mercy of the frosty temperatures of winter.

Incidentally, hanging young shoots do not signal a lack of nutrients and are therefore no reason to increase the fertilizer dosage. About 5 to 6 weeks after budding, the new branches straighten up all by themselves.

Cut beech hedge correctly

The vigour, in combination with the pruning tolerance, qualify the common beech as the ideal tree for an opaque hedge. Since the dried leaves remain on the plant throughout the winter and are only shed shortly before the new shoots, a beech hedge also serves as excellent weather protection. Carefully executed pruning measures guarantee the preservation of vitality, while at the same time controlling growth in height.

  • The best time for the first hedge trimming is late February/early March.
  • The weather is frost-free, dry and slightly overcast.
  • A trapezoidal shape ensures that light and air reach all corners.
  • Rounded corners increase the light output.
  • At the same time, thin out frost-damaged, dead branches.

If necessary, the hedge trimming is repeated in summer when the common beech slowly stops growing. It then retains its well-groomed shape for many months.

Note: In snowy regions, a hedge shape with tapering sides has proven its worth. This contour effectively prevents snow breakage.

If an extreme rejuvenation cut is planned, the beech hedge accepts this measure without any problems and quickly drives out again. In this case, it should be noted that the work must be completed by March 1st. To protect nesting birds, the legislature has issued a ban on radical cuts and clearing up to and including September 30th.

Cut if necessary

Happy is the hobby gardener who can offer his red beech enough space for it to develop its wonderful habit unhindered. In such a promised land of beeches, a topiary is only required every few years to put a tad of branches in their place. In view of the limited space available, however, it is advisable to use the cutting tool every year.

  • A shape and maintenance cut is preferably carried out in late winter.
  • Undesirable length growth can be shortened down to the old wood.
  • Each cut is made at a slight angle just above a leaf knot.
  • Thin out deadwood and clip water shoots at the base.
  • Completely remove cross growing branches.

An experienced gardener acts according to the motto ‘as much as necessary, as little as possible’ when pruning trees. A Fagus sylvatica that is repeatedly cut too eagerly changes its growth form over time to an inconspicuous tufted beech or pathetic headed beech, a specific variant of pollarded willows.

Tip: The clippings are ideal as fuel for the grill.

multiply

The purchase of early beech trees from the tree nursery does not represent a real cost factor; The ambitious hobby gardener does not like to miss out on the deep joy of growing or propagating them yourself. There are several methods to choose from.

Steckholz

In late winter, the gardener cuts off a number of biennial, woody shoots. He cuts the tip with a straight cut, he cuts the lower half at an angle. As a result, he holds sticks in his hands with a length of 10 cm to 15 cm and at least 3 leaf nodes. He fills a peat-sand mixture into seed pots, in which he plants the cuttings individually up to halfway. They spend the following weeks at 5° to 12° Celsius in a bright place to form a strong root system. They only get enough water to keep them from drying out.

If a fresh shoot starts, the rooting was successful and the future beeches are planted in the intended place in the ground. The failure rate is reduced if the young plants continue to be cultivated in the pot until autumn and are only planted when they are more mature.

root cuttings

Being heart-rooted with a shallow, extensive root system, the common beech is predestined for propagation by root cuttings.

  • On a frost-free day, use the shovel to expose a root or two.
  • Cut off pencil-thick sections with a spade.
  • Separate no more than 30% of the existing roots from the mother plant.
  • Cut the segments into 8 to 10 cm long strips.
  • The top is left straight while the bottom part is cut at an angle.
  • With the beveled end in front, each cutting comes in nutrient-poor substrate.

A thin layer of sand or gravel finishes it off. Set up in the cold box or cold frame, the gardener only waters when the first sprouts sprout. After repeated repotting, the root cuttings have turned into strong young plants by autumn.

sowing

The sowing of beechnuts is an eventful method for the whole family. If there is no 40 or 50 year old beech tree in the garden, the still closed fruits are collected in autumn during a walk in the forest. After the seeds are freed from their prickly shell, they are immediately sown. As cold germs, they need a cooling period of approx. 6 weeks for germination to start.

  • Fill a plastic bag with damp sand and pour in the seeds.
  • Store in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for 5 to 6 weeks.
  • If there is life in the seeds, they are used in potting soil.
  • As dark germs, they come 1-2 cm deep into the ground.
  • The substrate and seedlings are kept slightly moist at the partially shaded window seat.

In the first step, the typical cotyledons appear, followed by real leaves. Now the growth is proceeding rapidly. Ideally, further cultivation takes place in a sheltered place on the balcony until the planting season begins in autumn.
In principle, direct sowing is possible. Of course, there are numerous hungry mouths lurking in the garden, eager to eat beechnuts.

plant

The red beech, which you have brought forward yourself or bought ready-made, can be planted all year round. Autumn is the best time, when the leaves start to dry up. Above-ground growth ends, while the roots are well established in the still warm soil before winter sets in.

  • Loosen the soil thoroughly, enrich with compost and horn shavings.
  • Dig a planting hole with twice the volume of the root ball.
  • Create drainage from inorganic materials such as gravel or grit on the sole.
  • Insert the red beech in the middle, dig in and water well.

The larger the young tree, the more advisable it is to stabilize it with a support pole. This is hammered into the planting hole in order to connect it to the main shoot of the tree using wide straps or straps. Regular checking of the binding material is essential so that it does not grow into the beautiful bark.

It is important to keep a sufficient distance from buildings and neighboring properties. The legal regulations can be found in the neighborhood law of the federal states.

Conclusion
In the natural home garden, the common beech has long since earned a regular place as a valuable supplier of feed and a safe shelter for birds and insects. Their pleasing location tolerance, undemanding care and easy propagation round off the promising profile in a meaningful way. The Fagus sylvatica is also excellently suited to introducing children to the hobby gardening experience. When they experience how a mighty tree develops from beechnuts within a relatively short time, they carry the formative experience in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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