Botanical name
Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea Group
Other names
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Group’, Copper beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’, Purple beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Cuprea’, Fagus sylvatica Cuprea Group, Fagus sylvatica Purple-leaved Group, Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea
Genus
Fagus
Variety or Cultivar
Atropurpurea Group _ Atropurpurea Group is a large, upright, spreading, deciduous tree with oval to elliptic, glossy, dark purple leaves turning copper to maroon in autumn and inconspicuous, purple flowers in spring followed by bristly, pale brown fruit.
Foliage
Deciduous
COLOUR
Flower
Purple, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Dark-purple in Summer; Copper, Maroon in Autumn
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Beech bark scale
Specific diseases
Beech bark disease , Bracket fungi on standing trees , Coral spot , Foot and root rot , Heart rot
General care
Pruning
Hedging should be trimmed back in summer. No other attention is required, bar the removal or damaged or diseased shoots. If one wishes the tree to retain its distinctive dried-out leaves throughout winter it should be trimmed in late summer.
Propagation methods
Seed
WHERE TO GROW
Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea Group (Copper beech) will reach a height of 20m and a spread of 15m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grows in a wide range of well-drained soils. Leaf colour is best in full sun. Partial shade is tolerated.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
