Fagus

This group consists of deciduous trees commonly known as the Beech. These trees grow to a rather large size, from 60 to 75 feet high and sometimes up to 100 feet or more. Beeches are hardy throughout the U.S. Their seeds are rich in oil, which is sometimes extracted for edible purposes and for burning. Under the name of mast, the seeds are also used to feed pigs. In Europe, pigs are sometimes let loose into Beech woods to feed when the seeds are falling. Beech trees have shallow roots and they usually send up a lot suckers. As a result, large trees are often surrounded by a thicket of smaller ones. F. grandiflora, the American Beech, is found wild from New Brunswick to Florida and Texas. It grows 90 to 100 feet high. It has oblong or oval leaves with tapering tips. Each of the veins ends in a pointed marginal tooth. The thin, papery leaves grow from 3 to 5 inches long, dark green and smooth above and paler yellowish-green beneath. They turn bright yellow in the autumn. The fruits are small, light brown, triangular nuts. They grow in pairs in small, 4-valved burs, which have soft, recurved prickles. They ripen in October and fall to the ground. Other varieties of Beech trees will be mentioned below in the varieties section.

Pot Cultivation

Beech trees grow well in many kinds of soil, whether it is light and heavy loam, sandy soil, or limestone land. Even when the ground is shallow the trees grow well, since they have shallow roots. They just spread near the surface over a vast area. The Beeches aren't as long lived as Oaks and Elms; after 120 to 130 years, they start to develop black streaks, which are usually followed by rapid deterioration. The trees, however, will live on for many years, though they are dangerous in public places because they are prone to break. Beeches form very nice hedges. They should be set 18 inches apart and they may be grown to almost any height or width. An 8- to 12-foot height is common with a width of 15 to 18 inches. Pruning hedges should be done at the end of the growing season. Careful attention should be given when it comes to pruning Beeches grown as ornamental trees. They should have only one leader stem while in the nursery and after they're set in their permanent spots any formation of rival leaders should be cut out. Trees that have one central trunk running well into the head are better to withstand storms than trees, which branch off into many leader stems. The angle between two trunks tends to be a weak spot. It is very beneficial to fertilize Beech trees. When the annual branches are starting to get short and the leaves small, a surface dressing of manure, leaves, or rich soil spread on the ground is beneficial, or they may be fed with a complete fertilizer.

Propagation

Beeches should be raised by seeds whenever possible. The seeds should be sown before they become too dry. Spread the seeds thinly on the floor of the cellar or shed between collecting and sowing, making sure that they don't become too wet or turn moldy. Roll the seeds in red lead to protect against birds and mice, before sowing. Sow them thinly and cover them with about their own depth of soil. Small amounts of seeds may be sown in boxes or in a greenhouse or frame. The young trees will be large enough to transfer to a nursery bed at the end of the first year; they should be transplanted every other year until they're large enough for their permanent positions. Trees are large enough to be planted in a forest when they are 1� to 3 feet high, but trees grown for ornament can be transplanted when as tall as 10 to 12 feet as long as they've been transplanted periodically. Varieties of the European Beech, F. sylvatica, (with purple, copper, etc. . .) leaves should be increased by grafting on stocks of European Beech. A few Beeches with variegated foliage may be increased by seeds as long as seeds are taken from trees with excellent color.

VARIETIES

• F. sylvatica (European Beech);
• F. laciniata (Fernleaf Beech);
• F. grandifolia (American Beech);
• F. Sieboldii;
• F. japonica;
• F. orientalis;
• F. longipetiolata;
• F. Engleriana.,
• F. afaguceae,
• There are many varieties of the wild types with colorful foliage or pendulous branches.