The leaves of the common beech have a characteristic leaf shape that distinguishes them from other deciduous trees. Another special feature of the foliage of common beech trees is that they often remain on the tree for a very long time.
What do the leaves of the European beech tree look like?
Common beech leaves are green, egg-shaped and oval with a slightly wavy, slightly serrated edge. They are 5-11 cm long, 3-8 cm wide and arranged alternately. In autumn they turn a bright orange-red and often remain on the tree over the winter.
Common beech leaves are green
Despite the name European Beech, the leaves of the tree are green. The red in the name refers to the reddish color of the wood. The buds and new shoots also have a reddish color.
The leaves of the common beech have the following characteristics:
- Leaf shape: ovoid, oval. Veined leaves, slightly wavy
- Leaf edge: only slightly sawn
- Leaf size: 5 – 11 cm long, 3 – 8 cm wide
- Leaf arrangement: alternate
- Leaf shoots: from March
- Autumn color: orange-red
Only copper beeches have red foliage
If you come across a beech tree with red, dark red or green-red foliage, it is a copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea). It is also called purple beech because of its striking leaves.
The copper beech is a mutation of the common beech. Its leaves contain a very high proportion of red leaf pigments, which color the foliage red.
For the leaves of a copper beech to shine brightly, the tree needs a location that is as sunny as possible.
Decorative autumn colors of the red beech leaves
In addition to its compatibility with pruning, the color of the autumn leaves of the European beech is one reason for its popularity.
The leaves turn from green to a bright orange-red. The color is at its most intense in mid-November, before the leaves dry out and turn brown.
Common beech leaves hang on the tree over winter
Common beech trees are summer green trees. Unlike other deciduous trees, they do not lose their leaves in autumn. Most of the leaves remain hanging during the winter. They are dried out and have a brown color.
The old leaves only fall off when the red beech shoots. They are then wafer-thin and can be easily rubbed with your fingers.
You should leave the fallen leaves under the copper beech. It provides good protection against the soil drying out. The leaves also release nutrients. However, you can only leave he althy leaves without pests or diseases in the garden.
Anomalies on the leaves of the common beech
If the leaves of the common beech change color, curl up or wilt prematurely, there may be diseases, pests or a lack of nutrients. Sometimes it's just too humid or too wet.
If the leaves become very light, the common beech lacks iron. An iron-based fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) improves the soil.
Fungal diseases and pests manifest themselves through various symptoms. Examine the leaves carefully and, if infested, cut off all affected parts generously.
Tip
The leaves of the hornbeam have a leaf shape similar to that of the common beech. However, they differ in their size and the heavily sawn edge. Hornbeam leaves also appear a little older when rubbed with your fingers.
