Beech

Family: Napjesdragersfamilie

Fagus sylvatica

Name: Fagus sylvatica
Brand: Smits Boomkwekerij

About Fagus sylvatica

Beech is a majestic native tree that is among the most characteristic and valuable trees of our forests. This imposing tree is the main tree ear in natural deciduous forests on richer soils and is a symbol of the Dutch cultural landscape. Its growth form is broad-cone with a strong, straight trunk and wide-spreading crown. Branching is fine and regular, creating a dense crown that allows little light through. The trunk is straight and vigorous with the distinctive smooth, grey bark called elephant grey. This smooth bark is very characteristic and remains relatively smooth even on old trees, only slight ridges appear on very old specimens. The branches branch finely and regularly. On free-standing trees, the lower branches often reach to the ground, giving a monumental appearance. The leaf is oval with a rippled edge and ends in a point. The leaf colour is fresh green in spring, with the young leaves having a silky sheen and being slightly hairy. In summer, the leaves turn dark green and glossy. Autumn colour is a beautiful golden yellow to coppery brown, which often lasts for weeks. The dead leaves remain on the branches for a long time, especially on young trees and on low-shaven beech hedges. This produces a reddish-brown foliage in winter. Flowering in April-May is modest with pendulous male flowers and small, erect female flowers. After flowering, beechnuts develop in prickly, brown husks. These nuts are edible but contain substances that are not healthy in large quantities. They are, however, an important food source for wood mice, squirrels and wild boars. Beech grows moderately fast to fast, at 30-50 cm per year in its young stage. The tree can grow very large, up to 25-35 metres tall with an equally wide crown. Beech can grow very old, up to 300 years. Its dense crown, beautiful autumn colour and imposing appearance make Beech one of the most prized park trees.

Application and location

Beech is suitable as a solitary tree in large gardens and parks, for avenue planting and as a hedge tree. Beech hedges are very popular because they remain dense due to the winter foliage. For hedge use, prune regularly. As a solitary, the tree requires a lot of space and provides a lot of shade. Plant beech in full sun to light semi-shade. The tree grows in almost all soil types, from clay to sand, but prefers moist, nutrient-rich, preferably calcareous soil. Very hardy to -30°C. Beech tolerates wind moderately; young trees can suffer wind damage. Give free-standing trees at least 15-20 metres of space in all directions. For hedge planting, plant at 30-40 cm spacing and prune twice a year (June and August). Beech tolerates pruning extremely well and forms a dense hedge with winter foliage. Note the very large end size in solitary trees. For ecological value, monumental appearance and hedge use, beech is a top choice.

Do you already know exactly what you need?

Every garden and every greenery project is different. Therefore, at Smits Arboriculture we do not make standard quotations, but we like to look together at what suits your wishes, planning and the character of the project.

our opinion

The properties below show the ideal conditions for a Fagus sylvatica. They help in choosing the right species for your project, but may vary slightly per garden or project.

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Dimensions

Value

Delivery method

Type

Photo

Height

350 cm

Container

Tribe

Image

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Height

500/600 cm

Wire clod

Specimen shurbs

Image

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Dimensions

100 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

100 cm x 60 x 60 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

125 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

125 cm x 60 x 60 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

150 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

175 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

200 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

300 cm x 125 x 125 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

300 cm x 70 x 70 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

350 cm x 100 x 100 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

375 cm x 200 x 200 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

400 cm x 100 x 100 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

400 cm x 200 x 200 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

425 cm x 200 x 200 cm

Wire clod

Smits Hedging

Image

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Dimensions

80 cm x 50 x 50 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

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Dimensions

80 cm x 60 x 60 cm

Coconut box

Smits Hedging

Image

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Height

70 cm

Container

Flat sphere

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Height

80 cm

Container

Flat sphere

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Height

175 cm

Container

Pyramid

Image

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Height

225 cm

Container

Pyramid

Image

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Height

300 cm

Wire clod

Pyramid

Image

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Height

350/400 cm

Wire clod

Multi-strain

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Height

350/400 cm

Container

Multi-strain

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Height

400/450 cm

Container

Multi-strain

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Height

450/500 cm

Wire clod

Multi-strain

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Height

450/500 cm

Container

Multi-strain

Image

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Height

500/600 cm

Wire clod

Multi-strain

Image

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Height

125 cm

Container

Cone

Image

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Height

150 cm

Container

Cone

Image

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Height

150 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

175 cm

Container

Cone

Image

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Height

175 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

200 cm

Container

Cone

Image

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Height

200 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

225 cm

Container

Cone

Image

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Height

225 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

250 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

275 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

300 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

350 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

375 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

400 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

450 cm

Wire clod

Cone

Image

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Height

375 cm

Wire clod

Cylinder

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Height

400 cm

Wire clod

Cylinder

Image

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Height

250/300 cm

Container

Bonsai

Image

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Height

300 cm

Container

Bonsai

Image

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Height

350 cm

Container

Bonsai

Image

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Height

100 cm

Wire clod

Globe

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Height

100 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

100 cm trunk

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

120 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

130 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

130 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

140 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

150 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

150 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

160 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

160 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

170 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

170 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

180 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

180 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

190 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

200 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

200 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

60 cm trunk

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

70 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

80 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Height

80 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Diameter

30-35 cm

Wire clod

Globe

Image

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Diameter

60-70 cm

Container

Globe

Image

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Height

375 cm

Container

Block

Image

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Height

400 cm

Container

Block

Image

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Height

100 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

125 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

125 cm

Container

Beehive

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Height

140 cm

Container

Beehive

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Height

150 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

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Height

150 cm

Container

Beehive

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Height

175 cm

Container

Beehive

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Height

175 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

200 cm

Container

Beehive

Image

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Height

200 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

325 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

375 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

375 cm

Container

Beehive

Image

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Height

400 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

400 cm

Container

Beehive

Image

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Height

425 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

425 cm

Container

Beehive

Image

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Height

450 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Height

450 cm

Container

Beehive

Image

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Height

500 cm

Wire clod

Beehive

Image

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Diameter

50-60 cm

Wire clod

Feathered

Image

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Height

125/150 cm

Wire clod

Image

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Height

150/175 cm

Wire clod

Image

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Height

175/200 cm

Wire clod

Image

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Height

200/250 cm

Wire clod

Image

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Diameter

40-45 cm tall

Wire clod

Image

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Diameter

45-50 cm tall

Wire clod

Image

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Diameter

45-50 cm tall

Container

Image

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Diameter

50-60 cm tall

Wire clod

Image

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Diameter

50-60 cm tall

Container

Image

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Can’t find the Fagus sylvatica you’re looking for?

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Find inspiration

Get inspired by our park, container field and the way trees and hedges come together in the design. Ideal for getting ideas for your next project.

projects

Discover how gardeners and designers apply our greenery in high-quality garden and green space projects. From villa gardens to larger landscape projects.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Fagus sylvatica

How big will the beech be?

Beech can grow into a very large tree 25-35 metres tall with an equally wide crown. The growth rate is moderately fast to rapid, with 30-50 centimetres per year in the young stage. It does take decades for the tree to reach its full size. Beech trees can grow very old, up to 300 years, and continue to grow. Due to its imposing final size, beech is only suitable for very large gardens, parks and estates where there is sufficient space.

Can beech be used as a hedge?

Yes, beech is one of the best hedge plants. Beech hedges are very popular because they stay dense due to the winter foliage screen: the dead leaves remain on the hedge until spring. For hedge use, plant at 30-40 cm spacing and prune twice a year (June and August). Beech tolerates pruning extremely well and forms a very dense hedge. The advantage of a beech hedge is that you keep a brown leaf screen in winter, giving privacy and shelter.

Why do leaves stick around in winter?

This has to do with the way beech trees shed their leaves. In most trees, a separation layer forms on the petiole in autumn, causing the leaves to shed. In beeches, especially young trees and clipped hedges, this layer does not form as well, so the dead leaves stick to the branches. This phenomenon is called marcescent. The leaves only fall off when the new leaves sprout in spring and push away the old leaves. In old, free-standing trees, the leaves do fall off for the most part.

Is beech hardy?

Yes, the beech is extremely hardy and tolerates temperatures down to -30°C without any problems. As a native tree, beech is fully adapted to our climate. In Dutch winters, the tree does not need any protection. Late spring frost is not a problem either because the leaves appear relatively late (May). Its hardiness makes it a very reliable tree for any Dutch garden type. Young trees may suffer from branch breakage in very harsh winters with snow.

What location does beech need?

Beech grows best in full sun to light semi-shade. Too much shade results in a thinner crown. The tree grows in almost all soil types, but prefers moist, nutrient-rich, preferably calcareous soil. Beech does not grow well in very dry, poor sandy soil. The tree tolerates wind moderately; young trees can suffer wind damage so some shelter is beneficial in the young years. Once established, beech is very robust.

Are beechnuts edible?

Beech nuts are basically edible and used to be eaten, especially in times of food shortage. They have a nutty flavour. However, they do contain substances (saponins and oxalic acid) that are not healthy in large quantities and can cause stomach upset. Small quantities are harmless. It is better not to eat them in large quantities. For animals such as squirrels, mice and wild boar, beechnuts are an important food source, though. The nuts ripen in September-October.

How fast does beech grow?

Beech has a moderate to rapid growth rate of 30-50 centimetres per year in the young stage. In the first few years, growth may be somewhat slower as the tree becomes established. On a good, moist site, the tree grows faster than on dry, poor soil. As the tree ages, growth slows down slightly but remains steady. It takes 20-30 years before you have a substantial young tree. Beech trees continue to grow into old age.

Does the beech give a lot of shade?

Yes, beeches have a very dense crown that allows little to no light through. Virtually nothing grows under a mature beech due to lack of light. The dense crown makes beeches excellent shade trees but also limits the possibilities for underplanting. Only very shade-tolerant plants such as ivy or certain ferns can survive under a beech. This is important to know when planning. For those looking for deep shade, beech is perfect.

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Beech

Fagus sylvatica

About Fagus sylvatica

Application and location

Do you already know exactly what you need?

our opinion

products

Request a quote

Find inspiration

projects

Frequently asked questions about Fagus sylvatica

See also

Malus Rudolf

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck

Ginkgo biloba Fastigiata

Magnolia stellata

Pyrus communis Conference

Pieris japonica

Syringa vulgaris Primrose

Acer japonicum Aconitifolium

Pinus mugo Rostrata

Syringa vulgaris Michael Buchner

Cornus controversa

Heptacodium miconioides

Thuja occidentalis Emerald

Betula utilis Jacquemontii

Pyrus calleryana Redspire

Amelanchier alnifolia Obelisk

Acer saccharinum Laciniatum

Acer davidii

Acer palmatum Sangokaku

Celtis australis

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