The copper beech is a tree that tolerates pruning very well. If you plant it individually as an eye-catcher in the garden, you don't have to cut it at all. It's different if you grow copper beech trees as a hedge. Then regular pruning is essential.
How and when should you prune copper beech trees?
For the most severe pruning, a copper beech should be pruned between September and March. For hedge plants, heavy pruning is carried out in spring before the leaves emerge, followed by light topiary pruning from September onwards. For trees planted individually, it is sufficient to regularly remove diseased and weak branches. Avoid cutting in midday sun or severe frost.
Beech trees are very fast growing
The copper beech is a very fast-growing tree that increases in height and width by a good 50 centimeters per year. Therefore, plant a copper beech in the garden in a place where it has enough space to spread out. All you need to do is cut off sick shoots and weak branches.
If several copper beeches are grown as a hedge, you have no choice but to use secateurs (€5.00 on Amazon) and a saw at least once a year.
You have to cut copper beech hedges once or twice a year
- Strong pruning in spring
- light topiary from September
- continuously remove diseased branches
The first pruning should be done before the new leaves emerge in spring.
The second, less radical cut takes place in September or October.
When is the best time to prune?
The best time for heavy pruning is from September to March. Outside this time, it is forbidden to radically shorten copper beech hedges because of breeding birds.
You can of course also carry out light topiary pruning and cutting sick and withered branches outside of these times.
But make sure that there are no birds or other animals living in the hedge and please wait until the eggs have hatched or hedgehogs and other animals have moved to another quarter.
Do not prune in the sun or in severe frost
Do not prune copper beech trees in direct midday sun. This would cause the interfaces to dry out and turn brown. Even in severe frost, pruning is not advisable.
Always use clean and sharp tools when cutting. Dull blades and scissor blades squeeze the shoots unnecessarily and cause the branches to tear. Fungi can penetrate the tree through the damaged areas.
Tip
If you live in a snowy area, you should not cut the copper beech straight, but rather into a conical shape. The snow then slides down and the branches do not break under the snow load.
