Horticulturally speaking beeches are not quite as easy as they appear
- Common name: Beech
- Genus: Fagus
- Family: Fagaceae
- Species: Fagus sylvatica, Fagus crenata
- Foliage: Ovate to obovate, abruptly short-pointed. At start silky-hairy then smooth glossy dark green.
The leaves of beech often stay in the autumn and remain on the tree until spring. The beech invests in the summer and autumn for the following spring. Conditions in summer, particularly good rainfall, determine the number of leaves included in the buds. In autumn, the tree builds reserves that will sustain it into spring. Given good conditions, one bud can produce a shoot with up to ten or more leaves. After the budding root growth of the season begins. - Bark: Grey smooth.
- Flower and fruit:
Small, males yellow and females green. In separate clusters on the same tree in mid-spring. - Skill level: Beginner to advanced.
- Soil type: Medium rich, but well draining, with a 40-50% fine gravel added to the mix.
Propagate
With cuttings, airlayering or seed
Placement
Depending on the local climate and the time of year, full sun to half shade is best for beeches. They are very thirsty and their leaves will quickly dry in full sun and low humidity. On the other hand, in a shady place they will not grow dense enough for our purposes. So the owner might have to move them around in the garden over the year.
Pruning
Mainly clip and grow methods works best. Prune new growth from extending in strong areas by pinching the terminal buds to leave only one or two leaves. Let the weaker areas alow to fully grow to six or seven leaves. In late autumn you can prune back to shape. Do not defoliate.
Watering
Beeches want plenty of feeding, organically and chemically. The substrate must stay moist all the time. They must therefore be watered daily; and sometimes twice a day during the warmer months.
Wiring
Use aluminium wire. Wire in late summer or winter. During the spring monitor the wire and remove before it starts to bite into the bark.
Pests and diseases
Beeches must be tasty — they have aphids and other critters which love them. I spray with a dose of diluted lime sulphur (1 to 30 with clear water) in February or March. If aphids still appear they must immediately be fought with insecticides.
Winter care
Beeches must be tasty — they have aphids and other critters which love them. I spray with a dose of diluted lime sulphur (1 to 30 with clear water) in February or March. If aphids still appear they must immediately be fought with insecticides.
