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Aboretum

Purple Fountain Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain')

"Deep purple foliage and graceful cascading branches make Purple Fountain Beech a striking blend of elegance and color."

Take a Moment: Notice how the rich purple leaves catch the sunlight while the narrow, weeping branches create a graceful waterfall of foliage. In autumn, the leaves transition to warm shades of copper and bronze.

Why We Love This Tree

Purple Fountain Beech brings dramatic color without overwhelming the landscape. Its narrow habit makes it equally suited to intimate gardens and expansive collections.

Its refined form demonstrates how strength and elegance can exist together.

 

 

Purple Fountain Beach in Summer

Purple Fountain Beech in Summer

 
 

 

Meet the Tree

'Purple Fountain' is a cultivated form of the European Beech that combines deep burgundy foliage with a narrow, weeping habit. Introduced for its exceptional ornamental qualities, it has become a favorite specimen tree in botanical gardens and arboretums.

Its compact footprint allows it to fit into spaces where larger beeches would be impractical.

Ecological Benefits

Its dense canopy provides seasonal shelter for birds and beneficial insects while contributing to cleaner air, carbon storage, and cooling shade.

Did You Know?


Purple Fountain combines two desirable traits in one tree: the rich foliage color of purple beeches and the elegant cascading form of weeping beeches.

Quick Facts

Native: Cultivar of a species native to Europe

Type: Deciduous Tree

Size: 20 to 30 ft tall × 8 to 15 ft wide

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Moderate

Growth Rate: Slow

Fruit: Beechnuts in fall

Fall Color: Copper-bronze

Botanical Profile

Family: Fagaceae

Common Names: Purple Fountain Beech

Genus Meaning: Fagus is the Latin word for beech.

Species Meaning: sylvatica means "of the forest."

How to Recognize It

Look for these distinctive characteristics:

  • Narrow, weeping form
  • Deep burgundy leaves
  • Smooth gray bark
  • Graceful cascading branches
  • Copper fall foliage
  • Spiny beechnuts

Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun

Soil: Rich, well-drained soil

Moisture: Moderate

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 7

Tolerance: Urban settings and cold winters