Fagus SYLVATICA

Fagus SYLVATICA - European beech, Common beech, Fagus sylvatica.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Beech is a genus of broad-leaved trees in the family Fagaceae, comprising 9 species of deciduous trees with an expansive crown and unusually beautiful light gray bark.

Beeches grow in the temperate zone of Europe, Asia, and North America. In mountains they occur at an altitude of up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft) above sea level. They often dominate in deciduous and mixed forests.

The most widely distributed are European beech in Eurasia and American beech in North America. Engler's beech grows wild in China; its height reaches 20 m (66 ft), and the trunk divides into several branches forming a broad-oval crown. A similar trunk shape is found in two endemics of the Japanese islands: Japanese blue and crenate beeches up to 30 m (98 ft) high. Mexican beech is native to Mexico - a tree up to 40 m (131 ft) high with wedge-shaped leaves, used in woodworking.

In the territory of the Russian Federation, in addition to European beech, Oriental beech also grows - its natural range is located in the Caucasus and Crimea.

Beech seeds require a period of stratification. They are kept for 3 months in a cold environment at a temperature of 4-5 °C (39-41 °F). Under home conditions, seeds are placed in the refrigerator. In cold storage, seeds are kept in a cold environment; upon purchase, specify the duration of completed stratification.

Before planting, seeds are soaked for 24 hours, then sown to a depth of 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) and covered with a layer of soil. They are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 21-22 °C (70-72 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided. Within 2-3 months, 70-80% of seeds germinate.

Special notes: Propagates poorly by cuttings, rooting rate is about 10%.

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Beech is light-demanding; in the shade it loses leaf color brightness. It requires watering, suffers from drought, but also does not tolerate stagnant water, and loves humidified air.

The main species are capable of withstanding frosts down to -26 °C (-15 °F); in severe frosts it suffers freezing back, but recovers. Winter shelter is desirable for young plants.

Alkaline, fresh and moist, fertile sandy and loamy soils are preferred. The optimal time for planting and repotting is spring. It has specific needs for micro- and macronutrients and for lime application.

Fertilizing is performed in early spring with granular balanced NPK+Me slow-release fertilizers matching the plant's needs in spring - for nitrogen, in summer - for phosphorus, in August-September - for potassium. It is also recommended to improve soil quality with organic matter (humus, compost), and conduct regular foliar treatments with mineral and organic fertilizers with a sticker.

Beech tolerates rejuvenating pruning and shearing. It is suitable for sheared hedges 1.5-6 m (5-20 ft) high; shearing is performed once in late summer.