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European beech is one of the representatives of deciduous forests. In the past, this tree species was widespread, now it is under protection. Beech wood is valuable, and its nuts are used for food.
Description of European beech
Forest beech, or European beech is a deciduous tree up to 30-50 m high.It has a slender, column-shaped trunk, which reaches 1.5-2 m in girth, in the largest specimens - 3 m. The crown of the tree is powerful, rounded, with thin branches. European beech has a lifespan of 500 years.
On young shoots of forest beech, the bark is brownish-red, the trunk is light gray in color. The leaves of the plant are enlarged, up to 10 cm long, elliptical in shape. The leaf plate is shiny, slightly wavy at the edges. In summer, the foliage is dark green, in autumn it becomes yellow and copper in color.
The roots of the forest beech are strong, but do not go deep. Female and male flowers are located separately on different branches. The flowers are inconspicuous, small, located on long legs. Flowering occurs in May-April, at the same time as foliage appears. Plant pollen is carried by the wind.
In autumn, the forest beech produces fruits. They look like triangular nuts up to 2 cm long. Seeds ripen in fruits. Nuts are fried and eaten. They produce baking flour and butter. The product is used as feed for poultry, small and cattle.
Photo of European beech:
Where does the European beech grow
In nature, European beech grows in Western Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus. In Russia, culture is found on the territory of the Kaliningrad region and the Crimean peninsula. The tree forms forests on mountain slopes above 1450 m above sea level.
In central Russia, European beech grows in reserves. The breed was introduced to North America and is native to the Rocky Mountains and the northeastern United States.
In European countries, beech forests occupy up to 40% of the total plant fund. A significant part of them was destroyed as a result of human economic activity. In many countries, beech forests are under protection.
Forest beech grows slowly and tolerates shading well. Wild and decorative forms are thermophilic and react poorly to drought. Mostly European species prefer forest or podzolic soils. The culture develops normally in acidic and calcareous soil. Forest beech practically does not grow on peatlands, waterlogged or sandy soils.
European beech in landscape design
European beech is used to decorate forest and park areas. It is planted singly or in combination with other breeds. Forest beech is suitable for the formation of hedges and lawn decoration.
The most successful combinations of forest beech are with deciduous trees and shrubs: yew, juniper, hornbeam, mountain ash, oak, hazel, euonymus. For contrasting compositions, they practice planting next to conifers: ordinary spruce, white fir, juniper.
Decorative varieties of forest beech differ from the original form in appearance, structure of the bark, size and color of leaves.
The most popular varieties of European beech in landscape design are:
- Atropurpurea (Atropurpurea). European beech up to 20 m high, in the middle lane they grow in the form of a shrub. When blooming, the leaves of the tree are pinkish-orange in color, then turn purple. The bark of the plant is light, smooth;
- Dawyck Gold. Spectacular variety of forest beech with a narrow columnar crown. In summer, the foliage of the forest beech Davik Gold is bright green in color, by autumn it becomes yellow. The height of this European hybrid reaches 15 m;
- Tricolor. European variety of forest beech up to 10 m high. In spring, the leaves are green, with a light border, in autumn they turn purple. The crown is wide and spreading. The annual growth is small;
- Pendula. Compact weeping type forest beech with purple leaves. The tree reaches a height of 5 - 10 m. The annual growth of the plant is no more than 15 cm. The culture tolerates frosts well, requires an abundance of moisture and light.
Planting and caring for a European beech
To grow forest beech, it is important to choose the right seedlings and growing area. The tree is then cared for.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Healthy seedlings are chosen for planting. The plant is inspected for mold, rotten areas, and other damage. It is best to purchase a seedling from your local nursery.
An open sunny site is chosen for European beech. The plant is capable of developing in partial shade. When planting, take into account that the tree grows. Previously, the soil is dug up and fertilized with rotted compost.
Landing rules
A planting pit is being prepared under a forest beech. It is left for 2 to 3 weeks to shrink. If you plant a tree right away, the soil will sink and damage it.
Forest beech is planted in the fall, when leaves fall. It is better to choose the period from October to November, 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of cold weather. During this time, the seedling will have time to adapt to a new place.
Planting procedure for European beech:
- A hole of 1x1 m is dug under the seedling. Its depth depends on the size of the root system and is usually 0.8 - 1 m.
- If the soil is clay, expanded clay or fine gravel is placed on the bottom with a layer of 5 cm.
- Fertile soil and compost are mixed to fill the pit.
- Part of the substrate is poured into the pit and a bucket of water is poured out.
- After the soil has settled, the plant is carefully taken out of the container and planted in a pit.
- After that, a wooden stake is driven in for support.
- The roots of the tree are covered with soil.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly.
- A forest beech is tied to a support.
Watering and feeding
European beech does not tolerate long droughts. Its roots are unable to extract moisture from the depths. Therefore, water it as the soil dries up. For this, warm settled water is used. It is brought in in the morning or in the evening, strictly in the trunk circle.
In spring, the forest beech is fed with mineral fertilizers. Use ready-made mineral complexes containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In the fall, the feeding of the forest beech is repeated. Among the fertilizers, compositions are chosen where nitrogen is absent.
Mulching and loosening
Mulching the soil will help to reduce the number of beech irrigated. Peat or humus is poured into the trunk circle. So that the water does not stagnate in the soil, after watering, it is loosened to a depth of 15 - 20 cm. As a result, the roots of the forest beech better absorb moisture and nutrients.
Pruning
European beech requires sanitary pruning, which removes old, dry and broken branches. It is carried out in early spring or late autumn, when sap flow stops.
Shoots of forest beech are also pruned to obtain the desired crown shape. Large sections are treated with garden pitch. The branches are cut to 1/3 of the total length.
Preparing for winter
In the middle lane, young plants of forest beech are sheltered for the winter. First, they are watered abundantly.For insulation, a layer of humus or peat with a thickness of 10 - 15 cm is poured into the trunk circle.
A frame is erected over the forest beech and a non-woven material is attached to it. Many varieties tolerate temperatures as low as -40 ° C. Frost usually affects branches that are not covered with snow.
Reproduction
The easiest way to grow wild beech is from seeds. The collected tree seeds are dried, then kept in the cold. After that, they are placed in wet sand for 1 - 2 months. When sprouts appear, they are transferred to fertile soil. Seedlings are provided with a temperature of +20 ° С, watering and good lighting.
To preserve the decorative properties of forest beech, vegetative propagation methods are used. To obtain seedlings, cuttings or layering are used. In the first case, in the summer, shoots are cut, which are stored in a cool place. In spring, cuttings of forest beech are germinated in the ground. Layers are taken from the mother tree and bent to the ground. After rooting, they are planted.
Diseases and pests
Forest beech is susceptible to fungal diseases. In the second half of summer, powdery mildew is a danger to the tree. Drying of the leaves is a symptom of this. A separate group of fungi causes rotting of the wood of the plant.
With a sharp drop in temperature and high humidity, wounds can appear on the trunks: this is how frost cancer develops. Beech fruits are also affected by green or black mold, as a result of which the seeds lose their germination.
For the European beech, caterpillars of silkworms, moths, leafworms, sickle-winged moths, and golden-tails are dangerous. They eat leaves and weaken trees. Some insects damage the young leaves of the plant, its buds and buds.
Pests that feed on wood cause significant damage to the forest beech. This is a barbel, woodworm, bark beetle, arboreal. Under their influence, the growth of trees slows down, which, as a result, gradually dry out.
Aphids and ticks can settle on beech shoots. Aphid colonies damage the forest beech, this is manifested by cracks in the bark. Fruit mites feed on the sap of leaves and buds.
Special preparations are used against diseases and pests of forest beech. The affected parts of the plants are cut off. European beech is sprayed in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Conclusion
European beech is used to decorate parks and alleys. The plant prefers a warm climate, it is resistant to urban pollution. Subject to the rules of planting and care, they get a tree that is amazing for its decorative qualities.
