Purple or Copper Beech Fagus Sylvatica Options
75-100cm: Usually 3-5L pot, 1-2 years old.
100cm+ : Usually 5-7 litre pot, 100-150 cm tall and 2-3 years old.
120-180cm : Usually 5-7 litre pot and 2-3 years old. (the taller ones are graded out)
150+: Feathered tree, 18-20L container, buy all year round.
150-180cm: 2-3 years old, 12-15L pot, half standard.
180-240cm : Usually a 12 litre pot and 3-4 years old.
220-260cm : Usually a 12-20 litre pot and 4-5 years old
300+cm: Feathered tree, 50-70L container, buy all year round.
350+cm : Feathered tree, 50-80L container, buy all year round.
400+cm: Feathered tree, 110-150L container, buy all year round.
Girth 8-10cm: Standard,35-45L pot, roughly 240-300cm tall.
Girth 10-12cm: Standard,50-70L pot, roughly 300-360cm tall.
Girth 12-14cm: Standard,50 to70L pot, roughly 360-420cm tall.
Girth 14-16cm: Standard,110-130L pot, roughly 420-480cm tall.
Girth 18-20cm: Standard,160-180L pot, roughly 480-540cm tall.
Purple or Copper Beech Tree Fagus sylvatica Purpurea Options Explained
*Heights are given as a very rough guideline and can have considerable variation based on species and supplier (each nursery experiences different growing conditions) It may even have been pruned before being sent out so we can only guarantee girth. Trees over 5.5m may include a delivery surcharge based on location and species but we will confirm with you before progressing the order.
Once a mature tree is around 200cm/4 years old then girth is the best measure of value for money. For every girth measurement increment e.g. 6-8cm to 8-10cm, the canopy will be wider, stronger, bushier and the root system larger as it has experienced 12-18 months growth. You can notice larger root systems with potted versions because the pot size increases with maturity. As a very general rule, each one cm girth measurement represents around 30cm growth but this doesn't apply to slow-growing trees.
Standard and Half Standard means lollipop shape. Industry definitions (which are not universal) mean Half Standard have around 80-150cm clear stem and Standard 180cm or more. Half Standards will usually be quite smaller than their standard equivalent girth size.
Feathered means it has an obvious single stem with side branching for most of it.
Purple or Copper Beech Fagus sylvatica Purpurea
Purple Beech is a majestic tree worthy of inclusion because of its distinctive red leaves. In spring, the leaves are an attractive brownish-pink but soon change to their distinctive blackish-purple colour. A large tree that will reach around 10m high and 6m wide after 10 years but could go on to grow more depending on local conditions. Some have been known to be over 40m tall.
Small Beech nut fruits are produced in the Autumn and are popular with animals that like them and are extremely popular with animals that REALLY like them. Deer and squirrels are attracted to the tree which may be a problem if you live in a high rise flat and growing one in a window box (they always take the lift instead of using the stairs).
The Copper Beech is considered a semi-evergreen in that the leaves turn Autumnal brown but stay on the tree and are pushed off by the new Spring growth. This makes it a popular choice for hedging/screening and for grumpy gardeners that don't like clearing the lawn in Winter. Often found in the ground and a popular choice for public parks and gardens.
Planting Purple or Copper Beech Fagus sylvatica Purpurea
You can plant this tree almost anywhere except coastal, waterlogged sites, land you don't own and on the moon (no one owns the moon). Performs best in a moist but well-draining site. It will tolerate loam, clay, chalk and sandy soils in sheltered or exposed locations and full sun or partial shade (but not Super Nova). Hardy down to minus 20 degrees centigrade.
Pruning Purple or Copper Beech Fagus sylvatica Purpurea
You can hard prune this tree at any time but generally, you can "leaf" it alone. Always cut out dead, diseased or crossing branches.
Other Copper Beech Information We Found But Couldn't Put Anywhere Else
The French roast the nuts and use them as a coffee substitute.
The wood is listed as a fuel source but it won't fit in the fuel filler cap of your car so just burn it instead.
The nuts are edible and can be used to feed pigs.
Copper Beech can be a vital tree regarding climate change. If you fell one to fall on a climate change denier then it might knock some sense into them.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Purple or Copper Beech Fagus sylvatica Purpurea
Hello Alan, A very funny follow up message! I did actually send an email with great appreciation, both of the copper beech tree I bought from you and and the humorous questions and answers page on your website. If you have not read it, it has probably got lost in what must be a forest (haha) of emails which you get daily. Anyway, the tree arrived in wonderful condition, beautifully boxed (box not damaged either). It was bigger than I expected, and I am well pleased. It was given to my son and his wife for their Copper (22nd) Wedding Anniversay. Got any ideas about the next one ? The theme for that one is Silver Plate! Many thanks for your great service and excellent produce. Best wishes Elizabeth Blackwell 0919
Good evening The 2 Fagus have arrived in excellent condition Thank you Regards James Harris 0819
I recently bought a copper beech tree from you and just wanted to let you know that I am absolutely delighted with it. I wanted it for my son's copper wedding anniversary on 10th August and it arrived on the 8th....perfect.It was much taller than I expected and I had a few interesting moments getting it into my Ford Fiesta! However, I got it in, delivered it, and my son and daughter in law are thrilled with it. A big thank you Elizabeth 0819
H, I just wanted to thank you for the great purple beech tree that was delivered this week. The tree which we planted today is a lovely size and condition. I also really appreciate you managing to get the tree to me in a short timescale. I would definitely come to you again if a tree was needed and recommend you for your service. Kind Regards Sandy 0916
Have received today my copper beech tree. Lovely healthy tree very pleased will replace one blown down a few years ago, which was full height. Don't think we'll see it grow that tall. Many thanks 0815
Hi Alan, Thank you very much for the delivery, please don't worry, both trees arrived in good time and in good condition via our usual friendly and careful couriers. This is my second order from Trees-Online and previous trees bought are thriving. In the process of planning next purchase. 0912
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.