GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Common Beech

Fagus sylvatica · Tree

Hardiness
H6 Hardy — very cold winter (to −20 to −15°C)
Position
Full sun, Partial shade
Height × Spread
25–50 m × 12–15 m
Soil
Any reasonable soil with good drainage; avoid waterlogged or moisture-retentive soil.
Flowering
April–May
Toxicity
Slightly toxic due to tannins and alkaloids

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower
✂️ Prune

Watch out for

Woolly beech aphid: Encourage natural predators like ladybirds; severe infestations can be treated with a systemic insecticide or horticultural oil.

Beech bark disease: Remove and burn infected wood to reduce spread; maintain tree health to improve resistance as there is no cure.

Root rot: Ensure planting sites have good drainage and avoid watering excessively during wet periods.

Late frost damage: Plant in sheltered locations away from frost pockets; protect young trees with fleece if severe frosts are forecast.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation around the tree and apply a fungicide if infection is severe.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/common-beech © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia