Fagus sylvatica Pendula (European Beech)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ (European Beech) is a beautiful, large, deciduous tree forming either a broad crown with spreading main branches and drooping side branches, or more upright with steeply drooping branches. Without staking to establish a vertical trunk, it will grow wide rather than high.

Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula' (European Beech) is a beautiful, large, deciduous tree forming either a broad crown with spreading main branches and drooping side branches, or more upright with steeply drooping branches. Without staking to establish a vertical trunk, it will grow wide rather than high. Its foliage of broadly elliptic, lustrous, dark green leaves forms a very dense canopy. It turns copper and golden brown colors in the fall. Its smooth, gray bark is truly stunning in the winter landscape. In mid-late spring, small, yellow-green flowers are on display. They are followed by bristly fruits which ripen in the fall and are edible. Maybe the most picturesque of all the weeping trees, this weeping Beech makes one of the finest specimens for large-scale landscapes.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 35-50 ft. tall (10-15 m) and 20-40 ft. wide (6-12 m)
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils. Intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or for hedges or screens.
  • Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Watch for aphids, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, Beech scale, coral spot and heart and root rot in mature trees. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed or grafting. Difficult to transplant
  • Native to Central and Southern Europe

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 7

Heat Zones 4
– 9

Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagus – Beeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 35'
– 50'
(10.5m
– 15m)
Spread 20'
– 40'
(6m
– 12m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens