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european beech trees in iowa

12 years ago

Dear all

I am new to the midwest and I was wondering if any of you could tell me how european beeches do in this part of the country. They are among my favourite trees but I don't see any of them around here and I would really like to plant a couple of good specimens in my new acreage.

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
12 years ago
Ohio has some GREAT ones. Dawe's Arboretum in particular. I know they grow in St Louis.

Here is a link that might be useful: seems like they should grow fine in Iowa
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
there are some wonderful botanical gardens in IA ...

HEY!!,... welcome to GW ...

and as a transplant yourself.. i recommend you find them.. and tour them ..

that is usually the best way to 'see' what can be done .... where you are ...

rather than relying on the subdivides/developers limited choice of what to plant...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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Thank you. My understanding is that amongst other varieties of the European Beech, which IS fagus sylvatica, the purple-leafed variety is fagus sylvatica purpurea, of which then there are the "Pendula" and the "Fountain" varieties. As such, your response (which says they are all different kinds) has partially (and perhaps wholly) answered my query. However, there is still one clarification I require. Does a young Purpurea Pendula look like a Purple Fountain, and IF so, will it require pruning to get that mushroom effect (which IS what am looking for in the tree I want)? I am thinking not, as none of the websites have mentioned that the Purpurea Pendula requires specific pruning to achieve that effect. It's important that I clarify this as it will determine whether I need to go back to the landscaper and insist they remove the one they placed in (which is about 8 feet tall and looks like a Purple Fountain). I appreciate anyone who can clarify this.
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lcadem
Original Author
12 years ago
to Ken

Thanks Ken. I know a little bit about trees and I am certainly planning to have special plants around me. What is really interesting is to discover plant species that are not common in europe (I am from Italy), like the yellowwood or the kentucky coffeetree.

@toronado: Thanks. The doubt came to me when on the website of iowa state university they were mentioning how the fagus grandifolia doesn't do well in iowa (soil + pests). But maybe the american beech is very different from the european beech...
lkz5ia
12 years ago
From what I think I've read, the American one is more sensitive to drought and dry, hot winds typical of Iowa. I've planted green and purple European ones and they live, but are slow like my ginkgoes.
wisconsitom
12 years ago
^ This. The american beech is indeed the most sensitive to less than ideal conditions. By comparison, cultivars of European are practically workhorse trees! Give it a shot, then let us know in a few years how things pan out.

+oM

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