Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'

Purple-Leaf European Beech

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. More adaptable to hot, dry conditions than our native F. grandifolia, but somewhat less hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. grandifolia, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more pruning than other street trees). The cultivar 'Purpurea' has attractive foliage that emerges deep red-purple, although it generally fades to a bronzy purple-green by the end of the summer.