Behind the fascinating name “blood beech” or “purple beech” (bot. Fagus sylvatica 'Atropurpurea') there is a magical mutation of the native red beech with strong, dark purple leaves that, like any other beech species, last through the winter remain on the tree and are not shed until spring. The vigorous, robust deciduous tree with the striking leaf color is ideal for planting hedges in the garden.
How do I properly care for a copper beech hedge?
A copper beech hedge requires nutrient-rich, loamy and moist soil, regular watering and optional fertilization, as well as cutting once or twice a year. Avoid waterlogging and dryness to ensure he althy growth and a dense hedge.
Origin and distribution
The common beech and its sister, the copper beech, are widespread throughout Europe - the mutated, red-leaved form is of course much rarer. The copper or purple beech was discovered by chance in the 15th century and has been cultivated ever since. Like every copper beech, this variety also feels at home in the rather cool and humid regions of Central Europe.
Usage
The copper beech is often found especially in parks and cemeteries because of its picturesque coloring and overhanging crowns. In private gardens, however, the huge deciduous tree causes a sensation less as a solitary plant and more as a copper beech hedge - after all, the tree is both easy to cut and easy to care for and, thanks to its he althy growth and easy training, makes an excellent privacy and wind protection hedge.
Appearance and growth
The copper beech, like its closely related copper beech, is a mighty deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 30 meters and develop equally wide, arched crowns. The silver-gray branches, which curve downwards in an arc, are characteristic and, in combination with the dark red foliage, offer a picturesque sight. However, the species is suitable as a copper beech hedge not only because of its leaves, but above all because of its fast growth - annual growth of 40 to 50 centimeters is not uncommon - and its good tolerance to cutting.
leaves
Of course, the leaves are the most striking thing about the picturesque copper beech, especially since they change color several times over the course of the growing season. When they shoot, the leaves look copper-colored and finally shine in a dark burgundy red or even black-red. This atypical color is the result of a lack of enzymes that break down the red pigment anthocyanin in the leaves, making them appear green. However, as the year progresses, the striking color fades and the foliage gradually turns green. Otherwise, the leaves are similar to those of the common beech, are egg-shaped and slightly wavy and are arranged alternately.
Flowers and flowering time
Purple beech trees only produce flowers and fruit when they are around 30 years old, which is why your freshly planted copper beech hedge will probably produce neither one nor the other. Basically, the tree is sexually monoecious, i.e. H. male and female flowers are on the same specimen. While the male flowers, up to five centimeters long, hang down, the pink female flowers rise upright. The flowering period is in April and May.
Fruits
Every child probably knows the spiky fruit cups, the so-called beechnuts. They contain small, oval to square nuts that are edible for both humans and animals. However, you should only snack on small amounts of them because they contain small amounts of oxalic acid and fagin.
Which location is suitable?
In terms of location, the native copper beech is pleasantly uncomplicated, as it grows in sunny, semi-shaded or even shady locations. However, the beautiful leaf color is stronger in bright places and is developed to a lesser extent in the shade.
Floor
Basically, the sunnier the copper beech tree is, the fresher the subsoil should be - the tree does not cope well with drought. It prefers nutrient-rich, loamy soil that is fresh to moist. The pH value should ideally be in the alkaline range, although copper beech trees still grow well even in slightly acidic soil between 5 and 7.5. Waterlogging should be avoided, as should persistent drought, as the copper beech hedge cannot develop he althily under such conditions and, in the worst case, will die.
Planting copper beech hedges correctly
The best time to plant copper beech hedges is autumn, when the temperature is still mild and the ground is not frozen - especially since the more frequent rainfall promotes rapid growth in the new location. For a copper beech hedge, it is best to use bare-root products or heisters that have already been transplanted several times, although container plants can generally also be used. These in turn can still be planted in the spring. For a hedge, you need around two to three copper beech trees per square meter, which are placed 50 centimeters apart in the chosen location. The copper beech hedge is planted as follows:
- Determine the location and length of the hedge
- Mark these with a straight string.
- Dig planting holes at a distance of 50 centimeters.
- If necessary, add a drainage layer of gravel.
- Mix the excavated material with compost.
- Insert blood beeches.
- Plant support rods to reduce the risk of breakage
- These can be removed after rooting.
- Fill up the earth and tamp it down firmly.
- Water vigorously to encourage rooting
If you like variety, don't plant a pure copper beech hedge, but combine the red-leaved species with the green-leaved common beech. The plants require the same conditions in terms of location and care, which is why socialization is not a problem.read more
Watering the copper beech hedge
The copper beech does not like drought or waterlogging, which is why the copper beech hedge should only be additionally watered after planting and during dry and hot summer days. Mulching (for example with bark mulch) the root area keeps moisture in the soil and prevents the soil from drying out.
Fertilize copper beech hedges properly
Mulching with bark mulch, leaves or compost not only keeps the soil moist, but also provides the copper beech hedge with valuable nutrients. In addition, you can fertilize the trees organically with mature compost and, if necessary, horn shavings between March and July to promote he althy growth. However, this measure should not be really necessary in a location with humus-rich and well-drained soil. Since copper beeches are also quite sensitive to over-fertilization, you should avoid mineral fertilizers.
Cut the copper beech hedge correctly
To grow an opaque copper beech hedge, you should cut it back evenly once or twice a year. The first cut takes place between mid and late February if the weather is suitable and mild. Now cut the hedge back to the desired height and width, using strings as an aid. Also make sure that the hedge is wider at the bottom than at the top - the trapezoidal shape ensures that the leaves still get enough light even at the bottom. Otherwise they would quickly become bald. From the beginning of March you should no longer cut because of the beginning of the bird breeding season, and heavy cutting measures are now prohibited by law anyway. Around June 24th - St. John's Day - the first brood is usually grown and already fledged, which is why you can now use the scissors again. Now shorten the young branches by about half to achieve stronger branching.
By the way, older and already bare copper beech hedges can be easily rejuvenated and brought back into shape, as the species is very capable of regeneration.
Propagate copper beech hedges
If you enjoy propagating copper beech trees yourself, it's best to try your luck with cuttings. Since the trees only produce flowers and thus seeds very late, these are difficult to obtain when collecting - especially since seed cultivation takes significantly longer than the vegetative form of propagation. This works like this:
- The best time is spring.
- Cut off a shoot that is not yet completely woody.
- This should have about three to four sleeping eyes (i.e. buds).
- Leave the lower part of the cutting.
- Plant it individually in a pot with a well-moistened growing medium.
- Place the pot in a bright (but not directly sunny!) location.
- Spray the cutting regularly with water from a spray bottle.
As soon as the first new shoots develop, the young copper beech has developed roots and can soon be planted in a larger pot or outdoors. Water the cutting regularly with willow water to promote rooting.
Wintering
Special wintering measures are not necessary as the native species is absolutely hardy. Leave the dried leaves on the hedge; they will fall off on their own in the spring when new growth appears. Autumn is also the right time to spread fresh mulch.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and pests only rarely occur on the robust copper beech. The following infections are particularly typical:
- Leaf browning: wilting leaves, especially in damp weather, fungal disease, be sure to remove fallen leaves to avoid new infection
- Beech mealybug: can be fought very well with nettle broth and natural enemies such as lacewings or ladybirds
- Beech leaf gall midge: Larvae overwinter in the leaves, which is why the fallen leaves must be removed
Tip
If the copper beech hedge shows discolored leaves or curled shoots, these signs can usually be traced back to a pest or fungal infestation. Diseases, on the other hand, mainly occur in trees that have been weakened by inappropriate care or an incorrect location, which is why you should eliminate not only the symptoms - the disease or the pest - but also the cause (e.g. wet soil).
Species and varieties
There are different cultivars of copper beech that have slightly different properties. The variety 'Atropunicea', for example, is available in stores either propagated from seedlings or grafted, while 'Purpurea' is grown exclusively from seeds. Vegetative grafting makes it possible to completely transfer the parental characteristics to the next generation, which is not possible with seedling propagation for genetic reasons. Copper beech trees grown from seedlings therefore often have different shades of red and turn green over the course of the summer. If you value an evenly dark red copper beech hedge, you should choose refined nursery products. The variety 'Swat Magret' also has a particularly beautiful, dark ruby red color.
