Whether you want to plant a red beech hedge or cultivate a red beech as a bonsai - you can propagate new trees yourself. However, this is not that easy. If you follow a few tips, you will be able to propagate at least a few common beeches.
How can I propagate a European beech?
Common beeches can be propagated by cuttings, sowing beechnuts or mosses. Young shoots and rooting powder are required for cuttings, germinable beechnuts should be used when sowing, and removing moss requires diagonal cutting and root promotion.
The methods for propagating copper beech trees
- Cut cuttings
- Sowing beechnuts
- Moosen
Propagate common beeches from cuttings
Only young beech trees can be propagated using cuttings. Cut some semi-woody shoots in spring or summer. Coat the ends with rooting powder (€8.00 at Amazon).
Cut the top of the cuttings and cover the wounds with commercially available artificial tree bark. Place the cutting in a pot with loose cutting or growing soil and stabilize the shoot with a band or other support.
Keep the substrate moist, but avoid waterlogging. Place the pot in a cool but frost-free place over winter.
Propagation by sowing
You need germinable beechnuts for propagation by sowing. These can be found in the forest. To find out whether a beechnut is capable of germinating, place it in a water bath. Floating fruits are not fertile.
The seeds need to be stratified. Put them in the fridge for a few weeks, or sow them outdoors in the desired location.
Beechnuts are dark germinators. They are covered with a not too thick layer of soil. Protect the seed from squirrels, mice and birds.
Removing moss from beech trees
Moss removal is a lengthy process that is mainly carried out by experienced gardeners. When removing moss, a diagonal cut is made in spring or summer into a shoot that is not too old and a wedge is pushed into it. Drizzle rooting powder or willow water onto the tree wound to promote the formation of roots.
The interface is covered with airy material, such as wood wool or moss. A plastic bag is tied over it.
It takes some time for roots to form. You can tell that the propagation has worked because the red beech shoot sprouts new leaves.
Tip
Propagating very old beech trees from cuttings or by removing moss rarely works and requires some specialist knowledge. However, there is the option of cutting some shoots from an older beech tree and handing them over to a tree nursery. In most cases, the experts there manage to get at least a few shoots to sprout for a small price.
