Purple beeches look particularly good in parks and facilities. The dark red of the leaves, which turns to a bright orange in autumn, stands out decoratively from the green deciduous trees. What you should know about copper beech leaves.
What do the leaves of a copper beech tree look like?
The leaves of the copper beech are egg-shaped, tapering and serrated on the edge. They are characterized by their dark red color, which changes to a bright orange in autumn. The red dye cyanidin causes this striking color.
This is what the copper beech leaves look like
- Egg-shaped with a small stem
- pointed
- serrated on the edge
- red-brown or green-red when budding
- orange in autumn
The leaf shape is similar to that of all other beech species. The leaves are egg-shaped and taper to a point at the end. The edge is slightly serrated.
Colossal beeches are deciduous trees. Before winter the leaves dry up and fall off.
That's why the leaves of copper beech are dark red
Common beeches have green leaves. They are only called European beech because of the fresh wood, which has a reddish color. The copper beech differs from the common beech trees in its striking reddish-brown leaf color.
It occurs because the red pigment cyanidin is present in the leaves to such a high extent that it almost completely covers the green pigment (chlorophyll).
Coloring of the leaves throughout the year
In spring the leaves emerge in their characteristic red tone. It can vary from dark red to green-red.
In autumn the leaves take on the typical orange-red color, which is particularly intense in the second and third weeks of November.
Then leaves turn greenish and fall off.
Identifying pest infestations on the leaves
In autumn, the leaves of the copper beech curl up before falling off. However, if the leaves curl up and dry out beforehand, pests such as the beech ornamental louse or the beech mealybug are often at work.
Slight infestation has little effect on a he althy copper beech tree. But if the tree is weakened, you have to fight the pests.
There are special products on the market that are mainly used during the winter. As a preventive measure, ensure that the tree has sufficient nutrients available. Avoid nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Tip
Together with the leaves, the rather inconspicuous flowers also emerge in spring. They are reddish in color and have a pointed shape. However, it takes at least 30 years for a copper beech to bloom for the first time and then bear fruit.
