Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ Leaf (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Sun to  dappled shade

Flowering period: Spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Fagaceae

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ is a large, upright, deciduous tree with a columnar habit. Its mid green green leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic, sparsely toothed and entire with a slightly crenate, wavy margin, up to 10cm long and 7cm broad. The leaves turn a copper colour in the autumn. The juvenile leaves of this tree remain on the tree during the winter months. Its bark is silver/ gray in colour, smoothly textured with a wrinkled appearance. Its flowers are monoecious and insignificant, it begins to flower when it is at least 30 years old. Its fruit is a triangular nut, enclosed in a spiky involucre, which is 4 lobed usually containing 4 nuts and is usually found singly on erect pedicels. The roots of this tree are shallow.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’, commonly known as Fastigiate Beech or Dawyck Beech, originated in Dawyck in Scotland in the mid nineteen the Century. Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ is synonymous with Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’.

The etymological root of the binomial name Fagus is derived from the old Latin for a ‘Beech Tree’, some authorities deriving the word from Greek phago meaning ‘to eat’, reference to the seeds being edible. Sylvatica is derived from the Latin silva ’forest’, in reference to this tree being a common forest tree. Dawyck refers to the origin of this tree.

The landscape architect may find Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ useful as an avenue tree or in locations where space is restricted.

Ecologically, Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ will cater for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera. Birds and other animals will eat its nuts and may inhabit its canopy.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ Bark (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry or regularly flooded soils.

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in July.