Fagus sylvatica Albomarginata - Beech

Fagus sylvatica 'Albomarginata', also known as Variegated Beech, is a tall tree, reaching 15 to 20 metres in height, with colourful foliage and a graceful silhouette that offers a unique and decorative spectacle. The leaves are green with cream edges and turn yellow-brown in autumn. Its grey, smooth bark gives this tree a very attractive presence throughout the year. In autumn and winter, its very dense marcescent foliage, with brown hues, remains attached to the branches until the following spring, when new leaves appear. With a long lifespan and low demands, it needs a suitable location to thrive as a beautiful specimen.

Fagus sylvatica, commonly known as European beech, is a deciduous tree species native to Europe and belongs to the Fagaceae family, along with oak and chestnut trees. It is one of the main tree species in deciduous temperate forests in Europe. It can be found in pure beech forests and, more often, mixed with other species in leafy forests, mainly with pedunculate oak or in mixed forests with silver fir or common spruce. It is an indication of a humid temperate climate. Foresters use it to produce high-quality timber for furniture and, in mountainous areas, for firewood.

The 'Albomarginata' variety, also known as 'Albovariegata', whose origin is somewhat unknown, may date back to around 1770. This very old variety can live for a very long time. It forms a slender tree with a straight trunk and a rounded crown when young, becoming more spreading as it ages. It has a normal growth rate, reaching 15 to 20 metres in height and an approximate spread of 8 to 12 metres at maturity, but in optimal conditions, it can grow up to 25 metres tall. The branches are smooth and greyish. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, 4 to 8 cm long, wavy along the leaf margin, light green to medium green in the centre with wide creamy white to light yellow margins. In autumn, the foliage takes on yellow-brown hues. In spring, around April-May, there are discreet and somewhat insignificant flowers. The male flowers, arranged in pendulous catkins measuring 40 to 60 mm, are pale yellow, while the green female flowers are grouped in 2 to 4 at the end of the branches. In autumn, the beech nuts, which are the fruits of the beech tree, start to appear as spiky woody husks.

The Variegated Beech is a robust tree variety that is resistant to winter cold (down to -30°C). Its elegant silhouette and colourful foliage bring a touch of originality to your landscape. It can be planted alone or in groups, providing filtered shade or adding colour and light to the garden. It will adapt to slightly acidic to alkaline, deep, well-drained, and humus-rich soil. A sunny exposure is preferable, although it can tolerate slightly shaded areas. Be cautious, as it is sensitive to stagnant water and water scarcity, with leaves getting burned in high heat. Its shallow root system excludes any planting at its base. It is suitable for large lawns, parks, streets, squares, and gardens, but not for small areas.