Fagus

The genus Beech (Fagus) consists of a dozen species; These are monoecious deciduous trees that grow in the temperate climatic zone of the Northern Hemisphere. The most common species is the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), with a characteristic very branched, powerful oval crown and almost horizontal branches. The straight trunk is covered with gray smooth bark. Leaves are simple, ordinary, oval-elliptical, with solid wavy edges, covered with a light cannon, the petiole is rather short. The color of glossy leaves on the upper side is dark green, on the back side it is lighter, in autumn the foliage is yellow or orange-red. Small decorative flowers are unisexual. Male - is collected in earrings (hanging inflorescences), female - in 2-3 inflorescences, closed with several bracts. In their place, fruits are formed - nuts, enclosed in a prickly shell, the so-called plus. There are many decorative forms with different structure and configuration of the crown, with changed outlines and color of the leaves. The following forms are especially decorative: dark purple; weeping; dissected, or variegated, or cohedic, the latter name is due to the fact that its leaves resemble the leaves of Asplenium, a fern with narrow, cut leaves; pyramidal, sometimes with red leaves; pink-convex, or purple tricolor with purple leaves with a pink border; tricolor with pink and white pattern; broadleaf with larger leaves than the botanical species.

The genus Beech (Fagus) consists of a dozen species; These are monoecious deciduous trees that grow in the temperate climatic zone of the Northern Hemisphere.

The most common species is the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), with a characteristic very branched, powerful oval crown and almost horizontal branches. The straight trunk is covered with gray smooth bark. Leaves are simple, ordinary, oval-elliptical, with solid wavy edges, covered with a light cannon, the petiole is rather short. The color of glossy leaves on the upper side is dark green, on the back side it is lighter, in autumn the foliage is yellow or orange-red. Small decorative flowers are unisexual. Male - is collected in earrings (hanging inflorescences), female - in 2-3 inflorescences, closed with several bracts. In their place, fruits are formed - nuts, enclosed in a prickly shell, the so-called plus.

There are many decorative forms with different structure and configuration of the crown, with changed outlines and color of the leaves. The following forms are especially decorative: dark purple; weeping; dissected, or variegated, or cohedic, the latter name is due to the fact that its leaves resemble the leaves of Asplenium, a fern with narrow, cut leaves; pyramidal, sometimes with red leaves; pink-convex, or purple tricolor with purple leaves with a pink border; tricolor with pink and white pattern; broadleaf with larger leaves than the botanical species.

Cultivation

Beech trees are planted in parks and gardens, usually in single plantings. They are sometimes used for hedges. In this case, trees are sheared in late spring - early summer (beech tolerates shearing and modeling well). They are planted either in the fall or at the end of winter - early spring. Fertile soil of any type is suitable for them, as long as it is not too wet and not too acidic. But they tolerate lime very well.

Location

A semi-painted place is best, but an open sunny beech is also suitable, decorative forms with painted foliage in this case acquire a more saturated color. Beech are afraid of strong winds.

Temperature

Beech is a relatively frost-hardy plant that can withstand late frosts in some cases.

Watering

It is needed only for young plants, especially immediately after planting or during prolonged drought.

Reproduction

Forest beech (F. sylvatica) is propagated by planting seedlings or sowing seeds. Seedlings obtained from seeds are assigned to a permanent planting site after 2-3 years. Ornamental forms are usually propagated by grafting to beech, this operation must be carried out in March; also multiplied by tapas.

Diseases

Aphids and worms, sucking the sap from the plant, directly harm it; mediated is the appearance of blackness on their pad (a sugary liquid that appears on a diseased plant). Some insects (sniffing wood butterfly, bark beetles) damage the wood, especially in places where the trunk is wounded, as well as weaker parts of the plant. The spores of numerous fungi - the causative agents of the tree head Ganoderma, Fomes, Stereum and others - can penetrate into the wounds; this is very dangerous for old plants. Branch cancer primarily affects young branches, deep wounds appear, which even lead to the death of young plants. Rooting also contributes to wilting and death of plants. Do not forget that the treatment of beech with special preparations (from aphids, insecticides and fungicides) is available until the trees become young, adults can only be partially treated, which is ineffective, the treatment of all beech is too difficult.

Acquisition

Beech and its forms are very easy to find in specialist horticultural centers and nurseries. The best time to shop and plant is from autumn to late winter. It is important to choose small specimens, for example, just planting in a permanent place, and they will better withstand the shock of replanting, to which the beech is very sensitive. Make sure the branches are free of cancer.