Fagus sylvatica 'Brathay Purple'
beech 'Brathay Purple'
Small deciduous tree, with a vase-shaped habit to about 8m in height. In spring, the leaves are dark red, slightly curled, twisted and irregular at the edges, becoming green over summer then pale yellow-brown in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Red Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Yellow Brown | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Fagus are large deciduous trees with smooth grey bark, ovate leaves colouring well in autumn, and inconspicuous flowers followed by usually spiny fruits
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils including chalk, grow in full sun or partial shade. For best colour, position in full sun. For more information see beech cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and beech scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to beech bark disease, fungi (particulary bracket fungi) and powdery mildews. Sometimes susceptible to honey fungus
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