Beeches: Shaping young Fagus sylvatica for the future

Discussion in 'Fagaceae (beeches, oaks, etc.)' started by Tom Deming, Oct 16, 2009.

  1. Tom Deming

    Tom Deming Member

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    I need some advice as to how best to help, (staking and or pruning), young European Beach trees get off to a good start with respect to obtaining good form and shape in addition to avoiding any future branching problems that may ocure. In 2006 I purhcashed the following Fagus sylvatica graphs from Coenosium Garden’s: ‘ Interrputa Purpurea’, ‘Albovarriegata’, and ‘Purpurea Tricolor’. The plants are all strong. healthy and well branched with the exception of Albovarriegata (which is a shame but that’s a question for another time). My hope is that one day these trees will develop their full character and become specimens. Maybe the best thing is to do nothing; I don’t know that’s my problem.
     
  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Keep an eye out for very narrow forked trunks; these are liable to split when the tree is mature. if they occur, prune out one fork while it is still small, so as to keep a single main trunk.

    That single exception apart, doing nothing works well.
     
  3. Tom Deming

    Tom Deming Member

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    Thanks Micheal, I'll heed your advice.
     

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