This deciduous tree has a conical habit when young and develops a stately broad crown with a silver-grey buttress trunk to 2m (6ft) wide. It has dark green oval leaves and the cup-shaped female flowers appear in a cluster during late spring.

Hardiness zones 5 to 9

Fagus sylvatica is naturally found from central Europe to Caucasus growing in well drained fertile deep moist soils in an open to protected sunny position and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

English Beech is long-lived (up to 400 years) and is planted in large gardens or parks as a lawn specimen for shade or in avenue plantings. It is suitable for inland and low-mountain regions establishing in 5-7 years. It is also an important timber tree producing a warm-coloured even-grained wood. The species is not suitable for domestic gardens due to its size but the smaller cultivars are commonly planted. ID 339

Fagus (FAY-gus) sylvatica(sil-VĂ-ti-ka)

Fagaceae (fag-AY-see-e)
Beech, Oaks and Sweet Chestnuts