Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple - Beech

The Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple' is an excellent variety of the Common Beech with a narrow columnar habit and dark purple foliage that turns coppery in autumn. This tree has a slower growth rate than the typical species and rarely exceeds 20m (65 ft 7 in) in height and 5m (16 ft 5 in) in width at maturity. Its very dense marcescent foliage provides both windbreak and good coverage, drying in autumn and remaining on the branches until spring when new leaves appear. This variety is easy to cultivate and is particularly interesting for planting in rows or as a standalone specimen.

The beech tree, known in Latin as Fagus sylvatica, is an imposing tree with a spreading habit. Its cylindrical trunk is covered with smooth light grey bark. This tree can live for several centuries. Native to central Europe and the Caucasus, it is one of the most common tree species in European forests, covering 10% of forests. The Fagus sylvatica is the most popular beech tree grown, along with oak. Its reddish-brown wood is used in cabinet-making and for the production of wooden tools, toys, and firewood. Very hardy, it can reach a height of 20m (65 ft 7 in) at maturity.

The cultivar 'Dawyck Purple' was obtained in 1968 in the Netherlands, at the Trompenburg Arboretum. It is believed to be a spontaneous crossbreeding between the Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' and a purple beech. It has a columnar habit with a well-closed and dense crown. Its foliage consists of alternate elliptical leaves, 4 to 10cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long. The leaf margins are undulating and villous. They have 5 to 9 pairs of lateral veins. When the leaves first emerge, they are a deep red colour, turning dark purple in summer and coppery brown in autumn. They are marcescent, meaning they dry out while remaining on the tree until the following spring when new leaves appear. The flowers appear almost simultaneously with the leaves. From April to May, barely visible cream-coloured monoecious flowers appear. Male flowers are arranged in pendulous catkins, 40 to 60mm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long. The female flowers are grouped in pairs or fours at the ends of branches. Mature trees produce shiny brown fruits called beech nuts, covered in prickles. These fruits, 12 to 18mm (0.5 to 0.7 in) long, are edible in small quantities. Mountain dwellers used to use them to make flour.

The Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple' is a hardy tree that requires no maintenance. It prefers partial shade and non-intense sunlight and thrives in cool and temperate climates. The soil should be moist and well-drained, with a constant level of humidity as it does not tolerate drought. When planted as a standalone specimen, it brings structure and verticality to the garden. When planted in rows along narrow paths or entrances, it has a sleek and tidy presence. Its foliage can be enhanced by pairing it with trees or shrubs with contrasting foliage, such as the 'Dawyck Gold' cultivar with golden leaves.