Fagus sylvatica Skrzat

Fagus sylvatica 'Skrzat' is a Polish variety of miniature beech, with very slow growth and a more or less pyramidal habit. It is adorned with small, almost round, very hairy, beautiful dark green leaves. It has a beautiful appearance with its dense silhouette, carried by a short trunk with beautiful grey bark. In autumn, the vegetation turns yellow-orange and the leaves persist on the tree for a long time, gradually browning. This very hardy, dwarf tree can be pruned as a bonsai to animate a cool rockery, or even grown in a container to enhance a terrace.

The Beech or Fagus is one of the members of the Fagaceae family, to which it gave its name, and which only includes seven to nine genera, of which it is the best known along with Oaks (Quercus) and Chestnuts (Castanea). The Fagus genus has only about ten species, with Fagus sylvatica being the common beech and one of its most beautiful subjects. This majestic tree, capable of reaching a height of 30 m, forms a straight, massive trunk, reaching 2 m in diameter, and covered with a beautiful smooth grey bark. The glossy dark green foliage is downy and remains on the tree for a long time in winter before falling, it is called marcescent. Of relatively slow growth, it forms magnificent forests in cool and humid climates. Climate change particularly threatens this species, which needs humidity and hates high temperatures and drought.
Fagus sylvatica 'Skrzat' is a horticultural variety born in 1996 that we owe to the Polish breeder Andrzjev Marczewski. It was then introduced to the market in 2008. This delay is explained by the slow growth of this miniature tree, which only grows 10 to 15 cm per year. In twenty years of cultivation, this miniature beech will only reach a height of approximately 1.50 m. The original plant, 30 years old, measures less than 3 m in height and it is estimated that at full maturity, the plant will remain under 5 m in height. This beech forms short lateral shoots, which rise at an angle of 45° with the trunk. Somewhat ungainly in its early years, it then densifies to take on a denser, more or less pyramidal habit, forming an ornamental silhouette. The young medium green leaves are slightly bronzed and reveal abundant down when they emerge from the long brown buds. They then turn dark green and take on an almost round shape, measuring only a few centimetres (3 to 4), thus well proportioned to the reduced dimensions of the plant. Such predispositions encourage treating this beech as a bonsai, in a container, or even in the ground by pruning it to give it an aged appearance. The flowering that occurs in April is relatively insignificant, presenting no ornamental interest, the same as the fruits (beech nuts) that follow. In autumn the small tree reveals a new advantage, its foliage turns a very pleasant yellow-orange. In the absence of wind and severe frost, the leaves remain on the tree for a long time, gradually browning before finally falling to the ground to make way for new shoots to come.

Fagus sylvatica 'Skrazt' will allow owners of small gardens to welcome one of the kings of our forests. You will need to be patient, as its growth is truly slow, but the result will be worth it. Instead of planting it in isolation, which will require you to wait a long time for future ornamental effect, integrate it into a small bed alongside other low-growing plants, on the edge of taller plants that will maintain a certain atmospheric humidity. Associate it with dwarf conifers that will be perfect companions, such as Pinus mugo 'Ophir', a superb mountain pine that forms a cushion of 1 m in all directions, with light green foliage that turns golden yellow in winter, allowing you to create a superb contrast. Abies koreana 'Kohout's Icebraker' is a fabulous compact fir that develops shoots with needles that have a very decorative white underside. After a few years, it also produces beautiful violet cones. Betula nana 'Golden Treasure' is a dwarf birch whose golden foliage will form a beautiful combination with the dark green of your miniature beech. And to add a touch of spring colour, nothing beats botanical tulip bulbs like Tulipa sylvestris, with its wild appearance, whose small yellow flowers will bring light to your scene. It will naturalise in your bed, forming a low carpet with proportions well suited to your small collection of dwarf trees.