Beech makes a wonderful hedge as well as a beautiful stand alone tree with the leaves often remaining through the winter. Prune in spring and autumn to keep the shape and height you need. Beech is a long lived native deciduous tree. Its bark is smooth and grey and its russet torpedo shaped leaf buds form on short stalks. The young leaves are lime green, darkening with age. Male catkins hang on long stalks with the female flowers paired in a cup on the same tree in April and May and are wind pollinated.

Found in woodland, Beech grow to a height of 40m with a beautiful domed head. They give protection to other smaller species and are an important habitat for wildlife. They prefer a drier, free draining soil such as chalk, limestone and light loams.

Soil: Most soils, but prefer chalk, limestone and light loam

Position: Exposed or sheltered

Light: Full sun

Flowers: Female flowers and male catkins on same tree in shades of green

Habit: Broad

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Height & Spread in Maturity when Grown as a Tree: 40m x 20m