# European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

> A majestic smooth-barked tree of 30 to 40 m casting dense shade, with coppery autumn leaves that young or clipped plants hold all winter. Beech forms the great forests of central Europe and the chalk hangers of southern England and is the classic formal hedge. Its mast feeds badgers, mice, squirrels and birds, but little grows under a mature canopy.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/fagus-sylvatica · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Common beech
- Family: Fagaceae
- Type: Broadleaf, drops leaves
- Mature height: 30 m; spread 20 m
- Growth: Medium growth; lives about 300 years
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 7
- Light: Sun or part shade
- Water: Moderate water
- Soil: Well-drained loams over chalk or limestone; dislikes waterlogging and compacted ground
- Native range: Native across western and central Europe from southern England, France and Spain to Poland, the Balkans and the Carpathians; introduced to Ireland and Scotland.

**Benefits:** Shade, Wildlife, Fall color, Long lived, Stores carbon well

**Good for:** Hedgerow, parks, Timber, Screening, Yard shade

**Watch out for:** Surface roots, Large roots

## Care

Plant bare-root in winter on drained soil; shelter young plants from hot sun and drought in the first two summers. Clip hedges in August; prune trees in late winter. Shallow roots make it vulnerable to drought, soil compaction and heat stress; beech bark disease (scale insect plus Nectria fungus), bracket fungi and Phytophthora are the main threats.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** Austria; Switzerland; Germany; France; ENG, United Kingdom (Native to southern England and south Wales; naturalised further north); WLS, United Kingdom; Poland
- **Adapted:** SCT, United Kingdom (Planted and naturalised); Ireland (Introduced per WCVP; widely planted and naturalised)
- **Recommended:** Toronto, ON, Canada (On the City of Toronto Species Planted on Streets list); Denver, CO, United States (On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree List)

## Sources

- https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/beech/
- https://www.gbif.org/species/2882316
- https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280764
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/fagus-sylvatica/