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Weeping European Beech - Fagus sylvatica
var.
'Pendula'
Family: Fagaceae - Beeches, Chinkapins and Oaks
There are about 900 species in this family worldwide, about 65 trees and
10 shrubs of which are native to North America. The Oak genus,
Quercus, inludes some of our most important native hardwoods, and
are among some of the most-recognized trees in our nature-starved
populace.
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Fagus, the beech genus, comprises ten species of
deciduous trees native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America.
In the Northern and Central States, beech flowers appear in
late April or early May when the leaves are about one-third
grown; the species is monoecious. The flowers are quite
vulnerable to spring frosts. Male flowers occur in
long-stemmed heads; female flowers in clusters of two to
four (40). Beechnuts require one growing season to mature
and they ripen between September and November. Two or
(rarely) three nuts may be found within a single bur. The
first nuts to fall are usually wormy or aborted. Seed fall
begins after the first heavy frosts have caused the burs to
open and is completed within a few weeks. Some empty burs
remain on the trees throughout the winter. |
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Beech trees prune themselves in
well-stocked stands. Open-grown trees like the specimen
pictured above, however, develop short, thick trunks with
large, low, spreading limbs terminating in slender, somewhat
drooping branches that form a broad, round-topped head.
European Beech is recommended for use in public areas.
Makes an excellent hedge because of its ability to withstand
heavy pruning. It is better adapted to growing conditions
than the native American Beech. This cultivar is a slow
grower - many years to produce good shade. It can be adapted
to bonsai.
(United States Department of Agriculture
NRCS Plant Fact Sheet) |
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