European Beech
Growth habit
Tree
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Location
Source of plant
Cayuga Landscape Company
Description
Riversii™ is a purple-leaved selection featuring large, glossy leaves (to 5 long). Foliage emerges deep purple in spring, fades to purple green in summer and finally turns copper in autumn. a large deciduous tree typically growing to 50-60™ (less frequently to 100™) tall with a dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading crown. It is native to woodlands in central and southern Europe. European colonists brought this tree to America in the mid-1700s and it has been a popular ornamental shade tree since that time. European beech is primarily distinguished from the similar American beech (see Fagus grandifolia) by (a) smaller size, (b) darker gray bark, and (c) shorter leaves that have wavy mostly untoothed margins. It is a low-branched tree, with its trunk ranging from 2-3™ (less frequently 4™) in diameter. Trunks have distinctive bark that is thin, smooth and gray. Ovate to elliptic, lustrous dark green leaves (to 4 long) have wavy mostly toothless margins and prominent parallel veins. Foliage turns golden bronze in fall. Monoecious yellowish green flowers bloom in April-May, the male flowers in drooping, long-stemmed, globular clusters and the female flowers in short spikes. Female flowers give way to triangular nuts enclosed by spiny bracts. Beechnuts ripen in fall and are edible.
USDA Hardiness Zone
4
Special characteristics
foliage characteristics