Fern Leaf Beech

(Fagus sylvatica 'asplenifolia')

Date Planted: May 1999

Family: Fagaceae

Hardiness: Hardy in the Gorham, ME area; Zone 4-7

Mature Dimensions: 40-60' tall, 40-50' wide

Habit: Densely pyramidal, with low branches

Bark: Smooth, gray, rough-textured

Buds: ¾-1" long, ¼ inch wide; overlapping scales, sharply pointed at apex

Leaves: Fern-like, 3-4 inches long, ½ inch wide; margins broadly toothed. Dark green leaves age to orange-brown in autumn and persist

Flowers: Monoecious; appear in May with leaf emergence; males are globose, females are in clustered spikes

Fruit: Triangular nut ½ inch long, enclosed in pairs in 1" long, 4-lobed bristled husk; borne singly on pedicel

Pests/Disease: Virtually pest-free and problem-free

Reference Pages: Dirr M. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL.