Fagus Sylvatica Common Beech

Fagus Sylvatica or Common Beech Tree
Fagus Sylvatica (also known as the Common Beech or European Beech) is native to South Wales and the southern United Kingdom and belongs to the family of Fagaceae. This is a popular hedging variety of Fagus Sylvatica, which although deciduous, gets its new leaves early every year. In the autumn, its old leaves drop off very slowly, often remaining on the plant throughout the winter. These features make it suitable for hedging. In fact, beech is one of the most popular deciduous hedging plants in the UK. In the winter season we also have this plant available in bare root form. 

Fagus Sylvatica produces new foliage between March and April each year. The shape of the leaves are ovate. New leaves emerge in spring in hues of beautiful green-yellow. As the foliage matures over the summer, the leaves become a deeper green. In autumn, they turn reddish-brown. 

Fagus Sylvatica is monoecious, meaning it produces both male and female flowers, which it produces during late April and May. Female flowers grow in pairs and are green. Male flowers are in the form of catkins and drape elegantly from long stalks. After the flowering period, edible beech nuts are produced, which these days, are mainly used to feed livestock. Whole enriched oil-nuts start forming in autumn, around September. The leaves of common beech take some time to decay completely. 

Fagus Sylvatica can live for hundreds of years and is UK hardy for all regions of United Kingdom. Beech is wild-life friendly providing shelter and food for many species. It is not overly fussy about soil type but thrives in limestone or chalky soils. See also Purple Beech for Hedging. 

For mixed beech and hornbeam hedging, see also Hornbeam Hedging Carpinus Betulus which we have availabile in many sizes.