Upright Purple Beech, Dawyck Purple Beech, Fastigiate Purple Beech

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purpurea, or Dawyck Purple Beech, has deep purple-red leaves, classically Beech in form, that appear in the spring and gradually turn to dark green throughout the summer before giving a show of golden brown foliage in the autumn.

The crown shape of this tree is distinctively upright, forming a distinctive flame shape as it matures. When mature, this medium to large tree seldom reaches more than 3m wide.

The foliage tends to be a little less dense than Dawyck and Dawyck Gold. Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purpurea was raised in Rotterdam, from a Dawyck at Trompenburg Arboretum and is thought to be derived from the same seedling as Dawyck Gold. It won the Award of Garden Merit in both 1973 and 2002.

It is a tough tree, like its parents, and will thrive just about anywhere, but it does not do well in exposed or coastal conditions. This tree is best suited to reasonably fertile and well-drained soils but does not perform well on heavy clay or light sand, and being a shallow-rooted tree, we do not recommend under-planting.

This superb rare specimen is an excellent choice for planting schemes where dramatic contrast is required and looks super against a lighter-coloured backdrop. They are best planted as focal points and on the perimeter of planting schemes; as such, dark colours tend to draw the eye to them, thus overlooking other planting in areas further than this.

This specimen's stunning architectural uniformity makes it a great specimen for avenue planting.

Why do some trees hold onto their dead leaves?

Mature height: 15-20m

Common names

Upright Purple Beech, Dawyck Purple Beech, Fastigiate Purple Beech

Height of tree

17-22m

Soil type

Well drained, Chalk/Alkaline, Acidic

Shape

Narrow

Foliage Colour

Red/Purple

Information Flags

Award

Looks good in

Summer, Spring

Location

Garden, Parkland, Avenue

Genus

Fagus