Fagus sylvatica f. pendula
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Fagus sylvatica 'pendula'
- Phonetic Spelling
- FAG-us sil-VAT-ee-kuh PEND-yoo-luh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Weeping European Beech is a broadleaf, deciduous tree in the Fagaceae family. The f. in the plant's scientific name indicates that this plant is a secondary form, secondary to species and variety. In the case of the Fagus sylvataica beech, there are two forms, mushroom and the pendula, or fountain form. The fountain form is narrow and tall with drooping branches, giving it the appearance of weeping, hence the common name. 'Pendula' will typically reach a height of 35 to 50 feet, although it is slow to grow (about a foot each year). The genus name comes from the Latin name. The species name means growing in woods or forest-loving. The form, or cultivar name, comes from the Latin word meaning "hanging down" in reference to the drooping plant branches.
The Weeping European Beech does best in deep, rich, moist but well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It does not tolerate wet, poorly drained soils, can be difficult to transplant, and does not always grow well in urban settings. It is a little more tolerant of different soil types than American beech (Fagus grandifolia). This tree is resistant to browsing by deer. It can have problems with high summer temperatures, but is tolerant of pruning and can be used as a hedge or screen.
Within the 'Pendula' form there are variations: (1) upright central trunk that droops at the top with major branches extending outward horizontally before drooping sharply downward, sometimes reaching the ground, and (2) broad crown with spreading main branches and drooping side branches. To encourage a vertical trunk, the tree should be staked when young; else it will grow wide rather than tall.
Seasons of Interest:
Bark: Winter Bloom: Spring Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall Fruits: Fall
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Beech scale, aphids, Japanese beetles and caterpillars can be occasional problems. Distressed trees may be attacked by borers. Beech bark disease, canker and powdery mildew may occur.
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
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The tree's wood has been used as firewood or for building furniture, musical instruments, veneer, and flooring.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Forest or natural area in rich woods; landscape as cultivated tree.
- Wildlife Value:
- The beechnuts are eaten by birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and other small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Screening
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The beechnuts are edible if cooked properly. Raw or unripe nuts eaten in large quantities are toxic and can cause gastrointestinal distress. Young leaves can be cooked for greens in the spring.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 35 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 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
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is light brown to reddish-brown, bristly husk, and measures about 3/4 inches long. It opens into 4 sections and contains a triangular, or 3-angled, brown nut that measures 5/8 inches long. The fruits are known as beechnuts, and they ripen in the fall and are edible.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small and inconspicuous yellowish green flowers bloom April to May. The female flowers are short spikes, and the male flowers are long-stemmed, drooping clusters. The female flower produces edible nuts that ripen in the fall. The tree may not flower until it is 30 to 80 years old.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Short, elliptical leaves with undulated or wavy margins that are ciliate.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin, smooth, and dark gray. Older tree trunk bark has the appearance of elephant hide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Drooping stems are slender with a zigzag form and are light brown to gray. The buds are light brown, narrow, long, pointed, and covered with overlapping scales.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested raw in large quantities or if unripe, the beechnuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in humans and dogs. If the beechnuts are properly cooked they can be consumed.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Trimethylamine, oxalic acid
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
