| Description | European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a very large tree native to Europe. Similar to the American Beech (Fagus grandifola) but smaller in size and leaves are shorter and wavy. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (FA-gus)(sil-VAT-i-ka) |
| Plant Type | Trees Deciduous |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-7 |
| Sunlight | full, mostly sunny, some shade |
| Moisture | average |
| Soil & Site | average, intolerant of wet poorly drained soils |
| Flowers | monoecious, male flowers in drooping, long-stemmed, globular clusters, female flowers in short spikes, yellowish green, April-May |
| Fruit | triangular nuts enclosed by spiny bracts, edible |
| Leaves | simple, dark green, wavy margins |
| Stems | smooth, gray bark |
| Dimensions | 50-60 by 35-50 feet (HS), rounded oval |
| Native Site | central and southern Europe |
| Misc Facts | "European beech is primarily distinguished from the similar American beech (see Fagus grandifolia) by (a) smaller size, (b) darker gray bark, and (c) shorter leaves that have wavy mostly untoothed margins. Fagus is derived from Greek phegos (beech) or phago- (eating) component, and is the Latin name for 'beech tree'. Sylvatica means 'wild, of or from woods or forests". (#145) |
| Notes & Reference | #144-Missouri Botanical Gardens web site (www.missouribotanicalgarden.org), #145-Plant Lives, (Sue Eland) www.plantlives.com, #245-Trees for American Gardens (Donald Wyman) |
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