Copper Beech, Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica Pupurea)
The Copper Beech or Purple Beech is a particularly attractive special variety of Red Beech. It is a mighty tree with dense foliage, 25-30m tall, with a broadly arching crown. Leaves turn orange-yellow in autumn. The triangular beech nuts in thorny capsules are edible.
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Appearance
The Copper Beech or Purple Beech is a particularly attractive special variety of Red Beech. It is a mighty tree with dense foliage, 25-30m tall, with a broadly arching crown. Leaves turn orange-yellow in autumn. The triangular beech nuts in thorny capsules are edible.
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Leaves
Ovate, slightly wavy, 5-10cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long. Early leaf shoots are fresh red in colour. Leaves are shiny brown-red above, brown-green below. Orange autumn colouring.
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Leaf upperside
Ovate, slightly wavy, 5-10cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long. Early leaf shoots are fresh red in colour. Leaves are shiny brown-red above, brown-green below. Orange autumn colouring.
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Leaf underside
Ovate, slightly wavy, 5-10cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long. Early leaf shoots are fresh red in colour. Leaves are shiny brown-red above, brown-green below. Orange autumn colouring.
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Bark
Silver-grey, smooth bark, sometimes brown in the furrows. Branches are dark brown, brown or pale brown.
Application
Open country, afforestation, open fields, screening, noise abatement, wind-breaks, bee pastures, public areas, parklands, courtyards, topiary
Native regions
Central, Northern Europe
Location parameters
Light: sunny to very shady; temperature: warm to cool; soil: slightly dry to moist; stagnant moisture: to be avoided; soil structure: firm to loose; soil depth: moderately deep to very deep; soil quality: medium, pH value: 5.0 to 7.5.
Demands
Sun to shade, older trees are intolerant of sudden exposure; intolerant of heat, moderately frost-hardy; avoids dry soil and air; all nutrient-rich substrates, intolerant of industrial emissions, salt, soil pollution
Growth
Height of growth: 25m to 30m, spread: 15m to 20m, moderately rapid growth potential, growth habits: wide, arcuate, dense, compact crown, continuous stem
Leaves
Ovate, slightly wavy, 5-10cm long, 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long. Early leaf shoots are fresh red in colour. Leaves are shiny brown-red above, brown-green below. Orange autumn colouring.
Flowers
Flowering period: IV-V, yellow-green clusters, monoecious, appear with the leaves on young shoots; female blossoms with hairy floral envelope, erect.
Fruits
Edible nuts in thorny capsules, 3-sided, with 2 seeds, located in very woody 3cm long beechmasts with soft spines on the outside.
Bark
Silver-grey, smooth bark, sometimes brown in the furrows. Branches are dark brown, brown or pale brown.
Roots
Heart-rooting or surface-rooting with a high density of fine roots.