Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea Group

Like the species, a slow-growing tree, eventually reaching magnificent proportions. This seedling-grown variety has leaves which begin the season a deep red-purple and turn bronzy green for summer; variable. S/M

This purple-leaved form of the European beech tolerates a wider range of soils than the American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). Purple beech is the common name for a particular strain of seedlings that have deep purple coloration instead of the green typical of the species; seedlings with this unique attribute are considered to be a forma of the European beech known as the Atropurpurea group. This group includes a variety of purple-leaved European beech trees with many different leaf colors, from pale purple with tints of green to bronze-purple and even a dark purple that is nearly black. As a low-branched deciduous tree, the purple beech works well as a hedge with regular pruning. The tree is native to the woodlands of southern and central Europe. It was brought to America in the middle of the 18th century and it has been a popular ornamental shade tree ever since.

Copper Beech - Bright young coppery red leaves mature to deep crimson maroon purple as the summer progresses, turning deep orange to copper in autumn with a smooth gray bark. Although deciduous the leaves generally stay on the tree well into winter.