FAGUS sylvatica - European Beech Bonsai

An attractive specimen tree ideal for bonsai training.

One of the best ornamental shade trees native to Europe which produces a wonderful display of autumn course and again in spring when the leaf buds burst open.
A long-lived stately deciduous tree with good form and attractive foliage the European Beech produces a solid smooth-barked silver-grey trunk with a broad rounded crown.

Attractive toothed oval shiny green foliage in summer produces a spectacular change of colour to a magnificent yellow-bronze through to reddish-brown during autumn.
Produces drooping balls of yellow flowers in spring.  

With its low branching habit the European Beech is also popular as a hedging plant and can easily be clipped to form an attractive screen even in winter as it can often retain the brown leaves during the cooler months before bursting into life again in spring.

Grow notes:

Cold stratification is recommended. YouTube Cold Stratification Video 
Cold treatment may not be critical for germination to occur in colder regions but should give increased germination rates.

This can be replicated by cold stratification in the refrigerator for 12- weeks. Alternatively overwintering in the garden in cold climates will assist germination.

1. Overwintering in the garden in cold climates:

   1. Soak in water overnight.
   2. Sow the seed 4-5mm deep.
   3. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
   4. Ensure the mix is moist but not waterlogged.
   5. Leave in the garden over winter.

    Cold stratification in the refrigerator:

   1. Place the seed in a plastic bag with some growing mix.
   2. Add a little water to mix to make it damp. 
   3. Place the bagged container in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks.
   4. Germination generally occurs in 14-28 days when moved to warmer temperatures after the period of cold treatment.

   General note: Seeds of many plants are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
   Please do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.