Beech, Green (Fagus sylvatica)

Green Beech ( Fagus sylvatica )

Green Beech is one of our great native trees; a full grown Beech makes a majestic specimen tree in woodland or parkland. It is a beautiful, rounded tree with branches that can sweep down to the ground in later life. Young Beech leaves are bright green in spring darkening as summer wears on. The bark is smooth and a light, elephant grey. Beech is also an outstanding garden and country hedging plant. When clipped as a hedge, Beech hold its leaves, which turn a beautiful russet colour in the autumn, right through the winter.

This page deals with smaller Green Beech plants (mainly used for hedging & woodland and forestry planting) to 1.8 metres tall. For larger specimen trees, from 3 metres upwards, have a look at our Green Beech standards

Green Beech is native to the UK and so tolerant of most soil types. It is happy on acid and alkaline soil, but needs good drainage to grow well. If it takes more than a day for surface water to drain away, your soil is probably too heavy for Beech and you should think about planting Hornbeam instead.

In many parts of the country, green beech hedges are the norm - well grown beech hedging is stockproof, and once established it is perfect for hedges for the tops of banks. Beech loves the drainage and is good in wind.

Fagus was the Celtic god of beech trees while in ancient mythology beech was Zeus's favourite tree and so was a symbol of prosperity for the Greeks. The Romans thought that beech was the embodiment of Diana, goddess of hunting. Beech wood is hard and stable - the best chopping boards are beech. It is good for smoking food and Budweiser use chips of beech in the brewing process to "impart a smoky flavour". Beech nuts, when ripe are quite sweet and nutritious - they are exceptionally high in tannins.