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Common beech

Fagus sylvatica is a European forest species, cultivated for wood production, as hedge or ornamental tree. It grows very slowly: creating an individual bonsai tree with a very thick trunk takes years of quiet waiting. That's why it is usually grown in group: it is possible to obtain an effect of maturity also with quite young specimens. The leave colour changes from tender green in spring to darker green in summer, just to warm reddish and golden shades in autumn. There are purple, hanging varieties with sectional leaves, more suitable for individual bonsai trees.

Sunlight, but shelter it from the hottest summer rays. Shelter the young foliage from winds.

Everyday during the vegetative season. Do not water the leaves exposed to direct sunlight to avoid burns. Water it less frequently in winter, but keep the soil wet.

Do not fertilize it for a month after the opening of the buds, then once every two weeks until late summer.

In spring, in alternate years, until the tree is 10 years old; then, according to the root-ball development. Use base mould.

Poll the new buds to two couples, using your fingers. The biggest leaves can
be removed in every season; anyway a complete trimming is not advisable.

By fresh seed, sown in autumn or by stratified seed in spring.

Suitable for Formal and Informal Upright, Slanting, Common Trunk and Group styles. Suitable for mean-giant sizes.

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