Pleached Copper Beech, Pleached Purple Beech

Pleached Copper Beech or Purple Beech – Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’, Fagus sylvatica Purpurea (Fagaceae)

There have been numerous cultivars of Green Beech created by horticultural selection since the early 19th century. One of the most popular of these cultivars is the purple beech (Fagus sylvatica Purpurea). This Cultivar is often confused with Copper Beech – a seedling with variable leaf colour. The cultivar produces a consistent dark purple/rich red coloured leaf in the spring. Like many purple leafed varieties, the leaf colour changes gradually to a dark spinach green colour in summer, eventually looking very similar to the Common Green Beech and in certain circumstances it can be very difficult to tell the two apart at this time of year.

Purple Beech offers Designers and Landscape Architects a refreshing change to Green Beech and while careful consideration should be given to its positioning it is a really popular choice for those looking for a large tree with a purple accent. In practically all other respects it is the same as the Green Beech.

Popular as hedge plants, specimen trees, clean stem and feathered trees, multistem trees, topiary shapes including columns/cylinders/beehives/domes/ball on stem/cube on stem/layer cake/cubes and other topiary shapes. Arches and archway, Hi and Low pleached trees, block on stem or box head trees. Available as rootball plants in the winter months, potted stock available while stocks last and cocoa rootball can be arranged for delivery throughout summer period by prior arrangement.

Planting advice for Pleached trees, Freshly Pleached trees, Espalier trees and Freshly Espaliered trees.

An important consideration when planting pleached or espalier trees in a straight line is the slope of the ground. Pleached or Espalier trees look their best when they are planted on flat or gently sloping ground. Doing so will line up the frames and stems and creating effect of one continuous line when viewed at all angles. Even on a gradual slope this effect can be achieved. However, with a slope of more than 10-12 degrees, it may be necessary to step the trees/frames when planting (the frames on freshly pleached trees can be manipulated to account for a sharper slope of perhaps 15 degree if necessary).

To create a good visual effect, it is important to line up the stems and frames (unless you are planting them in a circle or semi-circle). To start off the planting holes should measure roughly double the width of the rootball or pot….

Read our full planting guide here

How are Pleached Trees made?

Pleached trees or screen trees start life as a seedling or cutting, much like any other tree, being repotted or replanted a number of times in their formative years. They grow happily on the nursery with hundreds or even thousands of other trees. When the time is right, highly skilled nurserymen and woman go out into the field amongst the trees with tags in hand and pick the very best trees for pleaching. The criteria for choosing the best trees for training includes, selecting those with the straightest stems, healthy root stock and appropriately spreading and uninform crowns. Once tagged and lifted the trees are loaded onto trailers and sent to potting sheds for training. Read our full guide to pleaching trees here

Delivery varies depending on:

• How many trees you require
• If you want us to plant them
• Accessibility of the site
• If any need sourcing
• The seasonal ability to lift or plant specific species

  Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.