Copper Beech

(Purple Beech)

Fagus Sylvatica ‘Purpurea’

Loved by some, despised by others for its coppery/purple coloured all season foliage. This genetic mutation of the European Beech was first noted in central Europe in the 17^th century. Low, large branching and a dense canopy casting deep shade. Attractive smooth, silvery-gray bark and leaves that stay on the tree into the winter. Wind pollinated male and female flowers on the same tree. Seeds are edible but competition is stiff with squirrels that eat them in the canopy before they fall. Easier to transplant than the closely related native American Beech and does not suffer the beech bark canker disease.

My trees are propagated from seed collected from fine Copper Beech specimens in the UK. Please note that seedling leaf colour can vary from green (reverting back to the European Beech) through to deep purple like the parent. I cannot guarantee the purple leaf colour will persist to maturity although it usually does.