What soil does European beech grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, calcareous, acidic, sandy.

Is European beech hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is European beech toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should European beech be planted?

Plant it at least 3 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

How far apart should European beech be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 10 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

How much water does European beech need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does European beech cost?

It sells for roughly €8 to €160 in local shops, depending on size.

European beech

Fagus sylvatica

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €8.

Illustration of European beech — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A huge woodland tree with smooth grey bark and deep shade that makes a fine specimen in a large garden and, when clipped, a classic hedge: the hedge keeps its dry brown leaves through winter, so it still screens. It is also sold in purple-leaved, columnar and weeping forms that fit smaller spaces. Plant it in a cooler, more humid spot with moist but well-drained soil, because it copes badly with heat, drought and waterlogging alike.

Watch out for

It is not happy in the warm, dry lowland gardens of Central Europe: it belongs to cool, rainy hills and mountains, its leaves scorch in hot summers, it weakens in prolonged drought and is then attacked by bark and wood boring insects and fungi (mass beech dieback in forests has been recorded after drought years). Plant it only in a more humid, sheltered spot with moist soil, ideally where it can be watered; it is not advisable for dry, sun-baked lowland gardens. The thin bark burns on suddenly exposed trunks, it does not tolerate paving or compacted soil, it is slow to establish after transplanting and late frost can kill young shoots. Little else survives under its shallow, dense roots and deep shade. Aphids, scale and powdery mildew can occur.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, green

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	15–35 m × 10–30 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Calcareous, Acidic, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 3 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Leaves
Planting distance	1000 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €8

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
40-60 cm	approx. €40
60-80 cm	approx. €31
70-100 cm	approx. €20
90-110 cm	approx. €55
125-150 cm	approx. €26
150-180 cm	approx. €57
180-200 cm	approx. €110
6/8 cm trunk girth	approx. €160
size not stated	approx. €54 – €110

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Hedge plants Plants for screening Plants that give shade Plants with autumn colour Large trees with autumn colour

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

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