Fern Leaf European Beech

[pmalelis]

So found a gigantic European Beech in one of the oldest cemeteries in Syracuse. One trunk of it naturally mutated to Fern leaf. All these pictures are the same tree the Fern Leaf trunk actually has a large drooping branch that ground layered itself. So seems like cuttings will work next year.

 

[pmalelis]

Cont..

 

[fredman]

I was gifted a young one some years ago. Always have loved the leaves. I don't see them used much, so its definitely worth taking some cuttings....although beech are difficult to grow from cuttings...or so I heard.

It never really developed in something decent...so I put it in the ground for 3 years. It really thickened up and has some real potential now. The top got away some though.
I since put it back into the ground to thicken up the bottom main branches. I'll keep the top trimmed and let the bottom run...until the balance is right. That's the plan anyways....

 

[AsplenN4TR]

Do let me know how this goes, and what your strategies will be/are. There is an historic Fernleaf nearby Baltimore, and I am goingto try to help the owner continue it's legacy by doing cuttings, air layering, or seed gathering, whichever will work.

I was wondering how to approach it.

 

[InstilledChaos]

Since it is multi trunk I would guess that this tree was planted a long time ago as a grafted asplenifolia (fern leaf), and it eventually suckered from the roots. Being that asplenifolia is generally dwarfed, the suckers have come to dominate the clump. Very cool find though!

 

[Lara_Ericacious]

I learnt recently that alot of the huge beechs planted in the UK are suspected to be planted as many saplings in the same hole, resulting in huge multistemmed trees.

Here's 2 examples I saw among many others



I suspect this to be the reason for one stem to have different foliage.
Cool none the less!