Tips for Growing Purple Beech Tree in the Landscape

Growing Purple Beech Tree – If you have a big property that may benefit from some shade, beech trees are a good option. Known as the American beech, the American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a towering tree that makes a huge impact whether it is planted single on an open site or planted in rows along drives on vast estates.

However, do not attempt to plant beech trees in an urban environment. It is practically impossible to grow anything beneath this massive tree because the branches reach low on the trunk, posing a hazard to walkers, and the intense shadow makes it nearly impossible to plant anything under the tree.

Identification of the Beech Tree

Identifying characteristics of the beech tree include its smooth, gray bark, which remains on the tree throughout its lifetime. Beech trees thrive in shaded environments, where their huge, straight trunks climb to heights of 80 feet (24 meters) or more. In the shade, the crown remains modest yet thick. However, in full light, the trees grow shorter, but they generate a wide, spreading canopy of leaves.

The leaves of the beech tree are around 6 inches (15 cm) long and 2 inches (6 cm) broad, with saw-tooth margins and many side veins. Most of the time, the blooms go unseen. Male flowers are small and yellow and bloom in circular clusters along the branches in early spring. Female flowers are tiny and scarlet and bloom at the extremities of the branches in early spring. A lot of small animals and birds eat the beech nuts that the female flowers produce after they have been pollinated by the male flowers.

The American beech is the kind of tree that is most usually observed in the United States, but there are other different species of beech trees that may be found in Europe and Asia. Often, people call the American hornbeam the blue beech, even though this is a completely different species of small tree or shrub from the American hornbeam.

Planting of Purple Beech Tree

Plant beech trees on well-drained, rich, acidic soil that has not been compacted in any way. It prefers soil that is wet yet well-drained. At maturity, the thick crown will extend 40 to 60 feet (12–18 meters), so make sure you give it plenty of space. Beech trees have a lifespan of 200 to 300 years, so it is important to pick their location wisely.

To loosen the soil surrounding the planting area, make the planting hole two to three times bigger than the root ball and as deep as possible. In this way, the roots are encouraged to extend out into the surrounding soil rather than remaining in the hole. If the soil isn’t exceptionally rich, mix in a few shovels of compost with the fill material before filling the hole. Other additives should not be used at the time of planting.

Beech Tree Care & Treatment

In the absence of rain, it is necessary to irrigate newly planted beech trees once a week until they get established. Despite the fact that mature trees can tolerate severe dryness, they will fare better if they get an adequate amount of rain after going for a month or more without receiving any. Plant young trees with a 2 to 3 inch (5-8 cm.) layer of mulch around their root zones to aid in moisture retention. Mulch is no longer required after the tree has developed a thick crown, although it does help to keep the barren ground around the tree looking tidy.

Beech trees need frequent fertilization to thrive. Spread the fertilizer evenly over the root zone and then water it in well to ensure complete absorption. 10-10-10 fertilizer should be applied at a rate of one pound (454 g) per 100 square feet (9 sq. m) of root zone. The root zone of the tree extends around one foot (31 cm) beyond the canopy of the tree.