Cultivars
'Asplenifolia'
This large tree grows to 25m (70ft) tall by 15m (45ft) wide with a greyish trunk, which is buttressed at the base and ascending spreading branches that can extend to ground level, forming a large rounded crown.
It has dark green narrow leaves that are deeply cut giving a fern-like appearance and turn golden bronze during autumn. It prefers a large open position in full sun and grows in zone 4-7.
'Borneyensis'
This tree has a large upright greyish trunk with pendant fountain-like branches and weeping branchlets forming a conical habit. It has large, glossy green leaves and is grown as a specimen in parks or large gardens. It was discovered in Borny, France during the 1870's.
'Cuprea' Copper Beech
This tree has a weeping habit with coppery-red to dark purple leaves.
'Fastigiata' Dawyck or Fastigiate Beech
This tree has narrow ascending branches forming a narrow conical habit. It is used in street plantings.
'Heterophylla' Fern-leafed Beech
This tree forms a graceful habit with lobed leaves that give it a fern-like appearance.
'Laciniata'
This tree is similar to the species and has leaves with lobed margins.
'Pendula' Weeping Beech
This large variable tree has short horizontal then long weeping branches at angles from 60 to 45° forming a dense pendant habit. It is a highly attractive tree that matures to 20 m (60ft) tall and is an outstanding specimen for a large gardens or park. Photographs in the gallery were taken at Batsford Arboretum, UK.
Form
'Purpurea' Copper Beech, Purple Beech
This large, majestic tree has a greyish trunk with upright spreading branches that form a dance rounded crown that is heavily covered in purplish foliage. It is commonly planted in large parks and gardens for colour contrast and as a shade tree. It is not suitable for small domestic gardens, but is commonly planted in cooler climates.
'Red Obelisk'
This slow growing column tree has a smooth and grey bark with ascending branches and produces dark purple leaves that fade to greenish maroon during late summer. It is planted in parks and gardens for colour contrast and can attain a height of 10 m (30ft) after 30 years.
'Tortuosa' Contorted Beech
This unusual form produces contorted stems and branches.
'Zlatia' Zlatia Golden Beech
This slow-growing deciduous tree to 10 m (30ft) tall and wide as a greyish trunk with spreading branches that sweep the ground forming of compact rounded crown.
It has pale yellow new growth that matures to glossy yellow-green and in autumn turns yellow-orange before falling and is painted in large parks or garden as a specimen. This tree prefers an open sunny to a semi shaded position and grows on most well-drained, moderately fertile moist soils with a pH of 5.5-8 tolerating frosts and dry conditions. C1890 Yugoslavia