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Tree · Fagaceae family

European beech

Fagus sylvatica

Full sun to part shade in a garden ~6 m × 3–6 m to −34 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years~6 m
in the wild up to 35 m
spacing 10.5 m
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
averageloamyhumus-richclay

Watering

at the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m16 m17 m18 m19 m20 m21 m22 m23 m24 m25 m26 m27 m28 m29 m30 m31 m32 m33 m34 m35 m15–35 mspread 10.5–30 m
15–35 m× spread 10.5–30 m

Plant 10.5 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Beech scale / beech bark disease

Cryptococcus fagisuga
pest

What you will see

Grey-white waxy powder on the trunk and thicker branches (colonies about 1 mm). The damaged bark then lets in the fungus Neonectria (Nectria) coccinea, which together cause beech bark disease.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Keep the tree vigorous (water, soil).
  2. By hand all yearUsually no action is needed; it is part of the insect life tied to beech. Watch a heavily infested tree for fungal canker.
Beech scale / beech bark diseasepest · summer

What you will see

Grey-white waxy powder on the trunk and thicker branches (colonies about 1 mm). The damaged bark then lets in the fungus Neonectria (Nectria) coccinea, which together cause beech bark disease.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Keep the tree vigorous (water, soil).
  2. By hand all yearUsually no action is needed; it is part of the insect life tied to beech. Watch a heavily infested tree for fungal canker.
Sources (2)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does European beech tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does European beech need?

At maturity 10.5–30 m wide and 15–35 m tall; recommended spacing 10.5 m.

Beech scale / beech bark disease — what can you do?

Keep the tree vigorous (water, soil). Usually no action is needed; it is part of the insect life tied to beech. Watch a heavily infested tree for fungal canker.

Sources (17) Checked 24 October 2026

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