Common beeches are native deciduous trees that cope well with sub-zero temperatures. However, you should not completely neglect young beech trees in winter. How to prepare the trees for the cold season and what care beech trees need in winter.
How do you care for European beeches in winter?
Common beech trees are hardy and require little care in winter for older specimens. For young trees, we recommend winter protection with a layer of mulch and covering the trunk with burlap (€12.00 on Amazon) or brushwood. If it is dry, water on frost-free days and avoid cutting and fertilizing after August.
Common beech trees are absolutely hardy
As native plants, copper beeches can tolerate subzero temperatures down to minus 30 degrees without any problems. Older beech trees do not need any winter protection or care in winter. They have an extensive root system with which they support themselves.
You should give a young beech tree that has just been planted some winter protection. Spread a blanket of mulch and protect the trunk with burlap (€12.00 on Amazon) or brushwood in very low temperatures.
Since the young trees have not yet been able to form any significant roots, you should water the tree occasionally, even in winter, if it is very dry. But only water it on a frost-free day.
Pre-winter dormancy sets in early for the common beech
After the last shoots in July, the common beech begins to prepare for winter and goes into pre-winter rest. For this reason, European beech trees may no longer be cut from August onwards.
Fertilizing should also be done until mid-August at most.
If the common beech is cut or fertilized later, this will stimulate new shoots. However, the young branches no longer mature and are therefore not hardy. They freeze to death in sub-zero temperatures.
Laying down a layer of mulch in the fall
The only major problem that European beeches have in winter is the water supply. In very dry winters, the soil can dry out and cause lasting damage to the common beech.
To prevent drying out, it is recommended to lay down a layer of mulch
- Autumn leaves
- Compost
- Lawn cutting
- Garden waste
useful. The blanket keeps the moisture in the ground. It also offers beneficial garden insects an opportunity to overwinter. Over the course of the year, the material rots and releases nutrients that keep the common beech well supplied.
Tip
If a lot of snow falls, this can be a problem for a European beech. If the snow remains on the branches, they will break under the weight. In snowy areas, you should cut a copper beech in the garden to a point so that the snow masses can slide off.
