European Purple Beech

Fagus sylvatica ‘Pupurea’

Jewett House - 1501 E. Lakeshore

Michael Dirr, author of Manual of Woody Landscape Plants states, "there is no finer specimen tree than the beech; so beautiful it overwhelms one at first glance." It is an excellent tree for public areas, and also makes an excellent hedge for it withstands heavy pruning.

European beech was introduced from Europe and frequently planted for landscape purposes. The leaves of this purple variety are a deep black-red and with time change to purple-green and often almost green. It is an immense tree casting deep shade. It is quite carefree and its few reported problems are not particularly serious.

The beech is identifiable by the gleam of its smooth bark, and fluted base of its trunk, as well as its majestic structure. This appears to be the largest European beech in the area, measuring 108 inches in circumference and 66 feet in height.