The copper beech (bot. Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) is often grown in parks because of its decorative foliage. There it forms an attractive contrast to the green-leafed trees. The copper beech is also very popular as a hedge. Interesting facts about this beautiful deciduous tree.
What is a copper beech profile?
The copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) is a popular deciduous tree with reddish-brown leaves that can grow up to 40 meters high. It has a smooth, gray bark, is hardy and is suitable as a solitary tree or hedge plant in gardens and parks.
The Copper Beech – a profile
- Botanical name: Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea
- Common name: Purple Beech
- Plant family: Beech family (Fagaceae)
- Tree species: deciduous tree, deciduous
- Occurrence: Central Europe, forests, culture in parks and, more rarely, in gardens
- Height: 30 to 40 meters
- Trunk: smooth, gray
- Annual growth: around 50 centimeters
- Wood color: fresh wood, reddish (hence copper beech)
- Root: heart root, not too deep, but widely branched
- Leaf: egg-shaped, slightly serrated
- Leaf color: red-brown until autumn, orange-red in the 2nd to 3rd week of November, then green
- Age: up to 300 years, occasionally older.
- Flowering time: May
- First flowering: from the age of 30
- Fertilization: separate sexes, dioecious
- Flower color: inconspicuous, pointed, reddish flower, appears when the leaves emerge
- Fruit: spiny pericarp with two to four beechnuts, slightly poisonous
- Winter hardiness: completely hardy
- Use: Solitary tree in parks, copper beech hedge
Why are the leaves of copper beech red-brown?
The decorative dark red-brown color of the leaves, which turn a bright red in autumn, is due to a mistake in nature.
The leaves contain an excessive amount of the red pigment cyanidin. It drowns out the amount of green pigments so that the leaves shine in a beautiful dark red.
In autumn, the leaves first turn bright orange-red and then turn green before falling off. In spring, however, red leaves sprout again.
Planting copper beech as a hedge
Beech trees are very popular as hedge plants because they grow very quickly and form an opaque hedge from May to October.
However, copper beech hedges often have to be cut twice a year, otherwise they quickly lose their shape.
Like all beech trees, blood beeches tolerate pruning very well, so they can also be cultivated as bonsai.
Tip
The care of copper beech trees is no different from that of other beech trees. It is important that waterlogging is avoided, as the heart root begins to rot if it continues to be wet. The soil must therefore be loosened well and drained if necessary before planting.