Copper beech...green leaves.

[fredman]

I find this fascinating. Its the start of autumn now.
My two Copper beeches both had their red leaves all summer, but today I saw their leaves are green....for the most part. Do they naturally do that?
This is the first year I have noticed that. Now i'm on the wonder if I just did not pay attention in the past...
This is a top I layered some years ago


This is the bottom piece. I planted in the ground to fatten up some


They both still have a faint red tone....but they're actually greener than it appears on the photo.

 

[doc spring _work]

I'm by no means an expert on this species however I know that variegated plants can revert to their natural state...

Odd mutations in leafs tend to be caused by bacteria or stress in the plants, so it's possible something similar is occuring here?

If that's the case it's typically recommended to prune the reverted leaves back till only the variegated leaves remain,

causes of reversion is though to be extreme temperature changes and other stressors

Sorry I couldn't be more help but at least my comment should put the post back up in the activity board and hopefully get the attention of someone with experience in this cultivar

 

[leatherback]

Yes, they do.To a large part the amount of sunlight affects how purple/green they get.

Looking through youngsters in nurseries the last years I have noticed that there is a wide range in purple tones.
Some I find are really almost black. And some just have a red shine to them.

 

[penumbra]

It has a genetic component for certain, but environmental factors are also at play. They need bright sun for the color, though beeches generally do well in part shade. My copper beech is still sleeping.

 

[rockm]

Autumn's shortening days cause trees to move all kinds of pigments from leaves at varying rates as they move towards dormancy. Changes can mean chlorophyl is withdrawn leaving pigments behind. Shaded leaves tend to have less pigment, since they're not getting intense sunlight. Have a feeling something related to this process is causing the changes.

 

[fredman]

Autumn's shortening days cause trees to move all kinds of pigments from leaves at varying rates as they move towards dormancy. Changes can mean chlorophyl is withdrawn leaving pigments behind. Shaded leaves tend to have less pigment, since they're not getting intense sunlight. Have a feeling something related to this process is causing the changes.

Agreed. This is what I told myself is happening. That's why I mentioned its autumn now.
The one in the pot was outside in full sun all summer....until I moved it into the frame under a shade cover 2 weeks ago.
The one in the ground got sun until 3 o'clock every day.
They both greened up the same time....so chlorophyll withdrawal because of autumn is the obvious conclusion.
Fascinating

 

[leatherback]

chlorophyll withdrawal because of autumn is the obvious conclusion.
Fascinating

Not really logical conclusion to me..
Chlorophyll withdrawal would make it less green. Which in fact is what causes autum coloring of the leaves: Chlorophyll is withdrawn making the other pigments more visible. Which is why red beeches, after the summer greening when in shade, typically turn red/purple again in fall.