Scientific Name:
Fagus sylvatica
'Dawyck Purple'
Pronunciation:
FAY-gus sil-VAT-ih-kuh
Common Name:
Dawyck purple beech
Family Name:
Fagaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Narrowly columnar tree; leaves broadly elliptic, dark purple turning red in fall. Winter ID: columnar form; bark smooth, silver-grey, with a horizontal pattern (like an elephant's leg); buds narrowly conical, most 1-2.5cm long x 4-5mm wide, pointed, spear-like, divergent, reddish-brown with grey fuzz.
Habit:
Fastigiate, Twiggy, Upright
Form:
Columnar, Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
15 - 22m
Mature Spread:
5 - 7m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe, Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Fall interest, Shade tree, Small garden/space, Specimen plant, Spring interest, Street (boulevard tree), Tall background
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Glandular hairs
Colour in Summer:
Purple, Dark-red
Colour in Fall:
Red
Shapes:
Elliptic, Ovate
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate, Rounded
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour
Inflorescence Type:
Catkin (ament)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Purple
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Fruit Type:
Nut
Fruit Colour:
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Accessory tissue, 3-angled nuts from compound ovary enclosed in prickly bracts that split open like a capsule
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Leaf Bud Type:
Narrowly conical
Leaf Scar Shape:
Half-round
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizal with species of Amanita, Boletus, Cantharellus, Hebeloma and Lactarius.
Propagation:
Grafting
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
