Purple / Copper Beech Large Trees

Fagus sylvatica Purpurea: Purple / Copper Beech, Standard Size Trees

The Copper or Purple Beech tree, Fagus sylvatica Purpurea, is a natural variation of Green Beech with copper coloured young leaves that darken to dark purple, and the autumn colour has a richer orange hue. It is not quite as big as green beech and grows more slowly, but mature specimens are just as impressive and, being the largest trees with purple leaves found in Britain, are still only suitable for a large garden.
Purple beech is loveliest in the spring, with its fresh copper-bronze leaves shine against the pale grey bark. Some people consider it sombre and cheerless in midsummer, when its leaves turn purple-black. We don't really agree with that evaluation, as long as you plant it in full sun to encourage the richest leaf colour and to show off the tree to its best advantage.

Purple Beech trees can reach 25-30 metres.

Standard trees are the largest size that we deliver; you can also buy younger Copper Beech saplings.
Browse our variety of beech trees or our range of garden trees.

Features:

• Glorious spring and autumn colour
• Deep purple summer foliage
• Needs full sun & good drainage. Likes chalk
• Good source of pollen & honeydew for bees
• To 25-30 metres

Growing Purple Beech Trees

It is suitable for any soil type as long as the drainage is good, including chalk, and it should be planted in full sun. Although Copper Beech will tolerate some shade, the leaves will be less purple if planted in partial shade and if the tree does not get enough sun, its leaves will revert to green. It likes heavy clay on slopes, hilltops and other areas that shed, rather than collect, water in winter.