Purple beech Fagus sylvatica (Atropurpurea Group) 'Purpurea'
Other Common Name(s):
- Description
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Copper beech 'Purpurea' is a large deciduous tree in the Fagaceae (beech) family and is native to Europe. This tree can grow 60-80 feet tall and 40-60 feet wide with a rounded to pyramidal crown. The leaves start out in spring purple but become green in the summer. Fall color is yellow to copper. The fall nuts are edibles by humans and wildlife.
Purple Beach does best planted in fertile well-drained moist soil in full sun to part shade. It doesn't tolerate wet soils. Use this tree as a specimen or shade tree. They do not like to be transplanted or crowded so give it plenty of room. The branches tend to grow tangled and cross each other so some pruning is helpful.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major problems but planted in a too wet environment they are prone to fungal diseases. Watch for aphids and powdery mildew and leaf spot.
VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fagus
- Species:
- sylvatica
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Mammals and birds eat the fruits
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Nuts are edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 56 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are triangular nuts with spiny coverings
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small catkins in the spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2- 4 inch long leaves are purple in the spring and turn green as the season progresses. In fall they are copperish. They are ovate to elliptical in shape with entire to create to undulate margins and parallel veins. Trees tend to hold onto their leaves through winter.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth thin grey bark that can be easily damaged.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth gray to brown stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
