Description
Properties of Copper Beech Tree
Copper beech tree (Fagus sylvatica atropurpurea) is an ideal garden tree. It is is a low maintenance, moderately fast growing tree. The growth rate of a copper beech tree is typically 1-2ft per year. It is not evergreen like Laurel Hedging or even Photinia Red Robin hedging and Although the leaves of a beech tree turn to brown/golden colour in Winter, it will still retain a large percentage of the foilage on the plant until new growth comes in the Spring and pushes off the older leaves.
Description of Copper Beech Tree
The Leaves of a copper beech plant are oval in shape, pointed at the tip and purple in colour. The beech plant turns darker in colour as the plant matures. Beech hedges prefer a moist nutrient rich soil but will do well in most soil types making beech hedges a popular choice with the Irish gardener.
Features of Beech Trees
The stand out property of a Beech hedge is that it can be easily pruned. Pruning a beech tree will encourage the plant to become thicker and fuller, providing a more dense coverage. It is similar in texture or structure to Hornbeam trees. Adding a Copper Beech Tree to hedging is a popular planting scheme in Irish gardens. Other tree options to add to hedges include Oak, Silver Birch, Mountain Ash trees or even Lime trees, these can add depth and volume to an established hedge.
Benefits of Trees & Hedging to Biodiverstiy & Ecosystems.
Planting a tree of any type, including copper beech trees in the garden is a great way to encourage biodiversity and preserve ecosystems. A tree in the garden provides shelter and security for nesting birds, caterpillars, aphids and other insects. Beech hedges act as a network for small animals to move around the garden and populate.
How and When to Plant your Copper Beech Tree
Beech trees are typically sown as bareroot plants in the Winter months from November through to March. Trees of 7-8ft are the most popular size for planting as the root systems are well developed and the plants are an ideal size for planting.
The first one or two years are the slowest with Beech trees, but if kept clean and free from weeds, significant growth will be made in the later years. Green beech tends to grow a little faster than Copper Beech.
Tips & Tricks for your Copper Beech Tree
- Beech trees are usually planted as bare root plants, usually about 7-8ft tall.
- Secure your Copper Beech Tree with a 5ft Timber Stake and Tree Tie Combo.
- Keep the area around the beech tree clear of long grass and weeds in the first few months to promote growth.
- Copper Beech plants should be watered if planted in late Spring and there is a period of drought in the proceeding months.
- Dig a hole about 1-1.5ft deep and Place the plants in the hole, covering the root system up to the collar of the plant. Shovel back Nice loose fresh topsoil and walk the plant in to anchor it in the ground.
- Secure the tree with stake and tie to prevent them blowing in the wind.
After Care of your Copper Beech Tree
- If windy weather follows the planting, walk in the plants every few days to anchor plants in the ground and ensure roots embed into the soil securely.
Type: Average to Fast Growing in nutrient rich moist soil
Status: Hardy in cold weather
Position: Sun or light shade
You can view our You Tube Video on how to grow Beech hedging by Clicking here.
