Copper Beech / Purple Beech
Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Atropunicea / Riversii
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9; adaptable to various climates but sensitive to extreme heat and prolonged drought.
About This Tree
A massive, noble tree with a dense, spreading oval to rounded crown. Known for its deep burgundy to purple foliage and smooth, elephant-hide gray bark. It has a slow to moderate growth rate and creates a very heavy, dark shade at maturity.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, oval to ovate shape, 2-4 inches long, with wavy (undulate) margins. Foliage is deep purple to greenish-purple in summer, often transitioning to a coppery-orange or golden brown in the fall. Arrangement is alternate.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctively smooth and thin, even in old age. Light gray to slate gray in color, often compared to the texture and look of an elephant's skin. Extremely sensitive to carving and sunscald.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and Southern Europe; widely planted in North American landscapes and estates
Growing Season
Buds break in mid-spring (late April-May) revealing copper foliage; flowers in May; beechnuts ripen in fall; leaves turn copper-gold before dropping in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (full sun yields best purple color); prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Low drought tolerance; requires consistent moisture during establishment.
Mature Size
50-70 feet tall with a 40-60 foot spread; can live for over 150-200 years. Trunk diameter can exceed 3-4 feet at maturity.
Special Characteristics
High ornamental value due to foliage color and bark texture; high timber quality (though often used for aesthetics); susceptible to Beech Bark Disease and Woolly Beech Aphid.
Wildlife & Ecology
Produces 'mast' crops of small, triangular beechnuts (husked) that are a primary food source for squirrels, birds (especially jays and woodpeckers), and small mammals. Provides dense nesting cover for birds.