Fagus Sylvatica

[Marco B]

Here my Beech, a Fagus Sylvatica, which I took from the forest as a seedling around the year 2000. A Fagus is not developing very fast, so patience is key...
I try to give t a natural shape for a fagus, which is long branches with the tips to the sky and a wide canopy. The tree is not finished, far from that, but I think it is getting in the right direction... Also some examples of old Beeches in my neighbourhood..

 

[fredman]

Beautiful...I love it. Yes they do develop very slowly.

 

[Colorado]

Very nice Marco!

 

[Marco B]

Thank you!

 

[JadedEvan]

Hoi Marco! Deze bomen ziet er mooi uit!

I'm also living here in Holland, beeches are absolutely everywhere, quite some inspiration all around. Unfortunately they are so slow to develop, which is one reason that keeps me away from really engaging with this species.

Two questions for you
1. What's your strategy for getting any ramification on this species?
2. Backbudding - what has your experience been like getting beech to backbud?

Answering my own questions
1. It seems like the best approach is to catch newly extending shoots before they completely leaf out. This species loves to throw out very long growth very quickly (usually 4-6 leaves). The best strategy I can see is to pinch that spring growth as it's emerging, which can literally happen in just 1-2 days in the spring.
2. I haven't seen any signs that this species backbuds at all. I have some major structrual issues on some young beeches, I think the only way to get branches where I want them is to consider thread grafting. Would be curious to know if you have any experience with trunk chops or stimulating new branches.

 

[Marco B]

Hoi Marco! Deze bomen ziet er mooi uit!

I'm also living here in Holland, beeches are absolutely everywhere, quite some inspiration all around. Unfortunately they are so slow to develop, which is one reason that keeps me away from really engaging with this species.

Two questions for you
1. What's your strategy for getting any ramification on this species?
2. Backbudding - what has your experience been like getting beech to backbud?

Answering my own questions
1. It seems like the best approach is to catch newly extending shoots before they completely leaf out. This species loves to throw out very long growth very quickly (usually 4-6 leaves). The best strategy I can see is to pinch that spring growth as it's emerging, which can literally happen in just 1-2 days in the spring.
2. I haven't seen any signs that this species backbuds at all. I have some major structrual issues on some young beeches, I think the only way to get branches where I want them is to consider thread grafting. Would be curious to know if you have any experience with trunk chops or stimulating new branches.

Dank je wel!
Indeed, it's not the most easy species to build ramification, don't just cut back branches behind the first bud, good change that the branche will die back. This beech is a strange one, what worked for a few years, a while ago, isn't working for now anymore. I did it the way you explained, and also I did partial defoliation after hardening off. That resulted in a second flush. But since 3 years it isn't shooting enthousiastic anymore. Only a few, small leaves in spring. My opinion is that defoliation on this Beech causes weakness.. So the last years, the only thing I do, is just remove the strongest buds at the end of the branches..
I can see some small backbuds on this tree, but they are not very common, so I cherish them!

 

[JudyB]

Great start on a natural looking beech. I just love beech.