Fagus sylvatica - Green Beech

Green Beech

Grown as a Tree

A well known, stately tree that is found throughout old estates and woodlands across Ireland. Fagus sylvatica, better known as Green Beech, is ultimately a very large deciduous tree with a dense broad head. Wavy-edged leaves emerge pale green and silky, maturing to glossy dark green. Fairly insignificant yellow-green flowers, the males as small catkins, female flowers develop to produce beechnuts. Attractive smooth grey bark. Makes excellent timber for carpentry and firewood.

Grown as Hedging

May be kept trimmed as an excellent hedge with green foliage throughout the Summer, pruning beech causes it to retain its golden brown autumn leaves through Winter, making it almost as good as an evergreen hedge for privacy and shelter. A Beech hedge can be kept as low or as tall as suits and it can also tolerate pruning into a very narrow hedge where space is at a premium.

Site: Requires some shelter
Soil: Any well-drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of Interest: Fresh foliage in Spring, brown leaves on hedges in Winter
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: 80-115ft (25-35m) Spread: 40ft (12m) if unpruned
Hedging Spacings: Usually 3 per metre