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European beech is one of the representatives of deciduous forests. In the past, this tree species was widespread, but is now under protection. Beech wood is valuable, and its nuts are used for food.
Description of European beech
Forest beech, or European beech, is a deciduous tree up to 30 - 50 m high. It has a slender, column-shaped trunk, which reaches a girth of 1.5 - 2 m, in the largest specimens - 3 m. The crown of the tree is powerful, rounded, with thin branches. The lifespan of European beech is 500 years.
On young shoots of forest beech, the bark is brownish-red, the trunk is light gray in color. The leaves of the plant are enlarged, up to 10 cm long, elliptical in shape. The leaf blade is shiny, slightly wavy at the edges. In summer the foliage is dark green, turning yellow and copper in autumn.
The roots of forest beech are powerful, but do not lie deep. Female and male flowers are located separately on different branches. The flowers are inconspicuous, small, located on long stalks. Flowering occurs in May-April, at the same time as foliage appears.The plant's pollen is carried by the wind.
In autumn, the forest beech bears fruit. They look like triangular nuts up to 2 cm long. Seeds ripen in the fruits. The nuts are roasted and eaten. They are used to produce baking flour and butter. The product is used as feed for birds, small and large livestock.
Photo of European beech:
Where does European beech grow?
In nature, European beech grows in Western Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. In Russia, the culture is found in the Kaliningrad region and the Crimean peninsula. The tree forms forests on mountain slopes above 1450 m above sea level.
In central Russia, European beech grows in nature reserves. The breed was introduced to North America and is native to the Rocky Mountains and northeastern United States.
In European countries, beech forests occupy up to 40% of the total plant fund. A significant part of them was destroyed as a result of human economic activity. In many countries, beech forests are protected.
Forest beech grows slowly and tolerates shade well. Wild and decorative forms are heat-loving and do not respond well to drought. Basically, European species prefer forest or podzolic soils. The culture develops normally in acidic and calcareous soil. Forest beech practically does not grow on peat bogs, waterlogged or sandy soils.
European beech in landscape design
European beech is used to design forest and park areas. It is planted alone or in combination with other species. Beech is suitable for forming hedges and decorating lawns.
The most successful combinations of forest beech are with deciduous trees and shrubs: yew, juniper, hornbeam, rowan, oak, hazel, euonymus. For contrasting compositions, they practice planting next to conifers: common spruce, white fir, juniper.
Decorative varieties of forest beech differ from the original form in appearance, bark structure, size and color of leaves.
The most popular varieties of European beech in landscape design are:
- Atropurpurea. European beech is up to 20 m high; in the middle zone it grows as a shrub. When blooming, the leaves of the tree are pinkish-orange in color, then turn purple. The bark of the plant is light, smooth;
- Dawyck Gold. A spectacular variety of forest beech with a narrow columnar crown. In summer, the foliage of the forest beech Davik Gold is bright green in color, and by autumn it turns yellow. The height of this European hybrid reaches 15 m;
- Tricolor. A European variety of forest beech up to 10 m high. In spring, the leaves are green with a light border; in autumn they become purple. The crown is wide and spreading. The annual increase is small;
- Pendula. Compact forest beech of weeping type with purple leaves. The tree reaches a height of 5 - 10 m. The annual growth of the plant is no more than 15 cm. The crop tolerates frost well and requires an abundance of moisture and light.
Planting and caring for European beech
To grow forest beech, it is important to choose the right seedlings and place for growing. The tree is then provided with care.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
Healthy seedlings are selected for planting. The plant is inspected to identify mold, rotten areas and other damage.It is best to purchase a seedling from a local nursery.
An open sunny area is chosen for European beech. The plant can grow in partial shade. When planting, take into account that the tree is growing. First, the soil is dug up and fertilized with rotted compost.
Landing rules
A planting hole is being prepared for the forest beech. It is left for 2 - 3 weeks to shrink. If you plant a tree right away, the soil will sink and damage it.
Beech is planted in the fall, after leaf fall has passed. It is better to choose the period from October to November, 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of cold weather. During this time, the seedling will have time to adapt to the new place.
Procedure for planting European beech:
- A hole measuring 1x1 m is dug under the seedling. Its depth depends on the size of the root system and is usually 0.8 - 1 m.
- If the soil is clayey, expanded clay or small crushed stone is placed at the bottom in a layer of 5 cm.
- To fill the pit, fertile soil and compost are mixed.
- Part of the substrate is poured into the hole and a bucket of water is poured out.
- After the soil has settled, carefully remove the plant from the container and plant it in the hole.
- Then a wooden stake is driven in for support.
- The roots of the tree are covered with soil.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly.
- The forest beech is tied to a support.
Watering and fertilizing
European beech does not tolerate long droughts. Its roots are not able to extract moisture from the depths. Therefore, water it as the soil dries. To do this, use warm, settled water. It is applied in the morning or evening, strictly in the tree trunk circle.
In spring, forest beech is fed with mineral fertilizers.Ready-made mineral complexes containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used. In autumn, fertilizing of forest beech is repeated. Among fertilizers, compositions that do not contain nitrogen are chosen.
Mulching and loosening
Mulching the soil will help reduce the number of waterings of forest beech. Peat or humus is poured into the tree trunk circle. To prevent water from stagnating in the soil, after watering it is loosened to a depth of 15 - 20 cm. As a result, the roots of the forest beech absorb moisture and nutrients better.
Trimming
European beech requires sanitary pruning, during which old, dry and broken branches are removed. It is carried out in early spring or late autumn, when sap flow stops.
The shoots of forest beech are also pruned to obtain the crown of the required shape. Large sections are treated with garden varnish. The branches are cut to 1/3 of the total length.
Preparing for winter
In the middle zone, young forest beech plants are covered for the winter. First, they are watered generously. For insulation, a layer of humus or peat 10–15 cm thick is poured into the tree trunk circle.
A frame is built over the forest beech and non-woven material is attached to it. Many varieties tolerate temperatures as low as -40 °C. Branches that are not covered by snow usually suffer from frost.
Reproduction
The easiest way to grow forest beech is from seeds. The collected tree seeds are dried and then kept in the cold. After this, they are placed in damp sand for 1 - 2 months. When the sprouts appear, they are moved to fertile soil. The seedlings are provided with a temperature of +20 °C, watering and good lighting.
To preserve the decorative properties of forest beech, vegetative propagation methods are used. Cuttings or layering are used to obtain seedlings. In the first case, shoots are cut in the summer and stored in a cool place. In spring, cuttings of forest beech are germinated in the ground. Layers are taken from the mother tree and bent to the ground. After rooting, they are planted.
Diseases and pests
Beech is susceptible to fungal diseases. In the second half of summer, powdery mildew poses a danger to the tree. Its symptom is drying of the leaves. A separate group of fungi causes plant wood to rot.
With a sharp drop in temperature and high humidity, wounds may appear on the trunks: this is how frost-killing cancer develops. Beech fruits are also affected by green or black mold, causing the seeds to lose their viability.
European beech is endangered by silkworm caterpillars, moths, leaf rollers, sickle moths, and lacewings. They eat leaves and weaken trees. Some insects damage the young leaves of the plant, its buds and buds.
Significant damage to forest beech is caused by pests that feed on wood. These are the granular barbel, wood borer, bark beetle, woodworm. Under their influence, the growth of trees slows down, which as a result gradually dry out.
Aphids and mites can settle on beech shoots. Aphid colonies damage forest beech, which manifests itself as cracks in the bark. Fruit mites feed on the sap of leaves and buds.
Special preparations are used against diseases and pests of forest beech. The affected parts of the plants are cut off. European beech is sprayed in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Conclusion
European beech is used to decorate parks and alleys.The plant prefers warm climates and is resistant to urban pollution. If you follow the rules of planting and care, you will get a tree with amazing decorative qualities.
