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Trees

Fagus sylvatica (Atropurpurea Group) 'Black Swan'

beech 'Black Swan'

A tightly-formed, weeping tree, slowly reaching around 6m in height, the bark smooth silver-grey with an attractive silhouette when bare. The leaves emerge dark red-bronze in spring, then become very dark purple through the summer, turning golden copper in autumn before falling. Inconspicuous flower catkins are followed by spiny fruits

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Pendulous weeping
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Fagus are large deciduous trees with smooth grey bark, ovate leaves colouring well in autumn, and inconspicuous flowers followed by usually spiny fruits
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of a range of soils including chalk, grow in full sun or partial shade. For best colour, position in full sun. For more information see beech cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and beech bark scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to beech bark disease, fungi (particulary bracket fungi) and powdery mildews. Sometimes susceptible to honey fungus

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