Beech, Purple Fountain Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' Height: 25 feet Spread: 15 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 5a Other Names: Common Beech, European Beech Description: An incredible accent tree with cascading branches; glossy burgundy leaves in spring turn to green; leaves are coppery in fall; a most stately specimen; Grows best in rich soil and maintained deep watering; needs protection from strongest winds. Ornamental Features Beech, Purple Fountain is primarily valued in the landscape for its highly ornamental weeping form. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The serrated pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth silver bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest. Landscape Attributes Beech, Purple Fountain is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a rounded form and gracefully weeping branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Beech, Purple Fountain is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Beech, Purple Fountain will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 120 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations! This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes Flowers are insignificant. Few to Some Small three sided edible nuts enclosed in spiny husks that birds like. 
