Fagus sylvatica Black Swan

Fagus sylvatica 'Black Swan' is a variety of Common Beech with an elegant weeping habit, featuring glossy foliage that changes from red in spring to dark purple-brown in summer and autumn. This tree has a more modest growth than the species and is better suited for modest-sized gardens. Its erect trunk extends to the top, carrying strongly drooping lateral branches. The marcescent foliage dries in autumn and remains on the branches until spring when new leaves appear. It will make a beautiful specimen to plant in isolation.

The beech tree, known as Fagus sylvatica, is an imposing tree with a spreading habit. Its cylindrical trunk is covered with smooth light grey bark. This tree can live for several centuries. Originating from Central Europe to the Caucasus, it is one of the most common species in European forests. Its reddish wood is used in cabinet making and for the production of wooden tools, toys, and firewood. It is very hardy and can reach a height of 20m at maturity.
The ‘Black Swan’ beech tree was selected in 1984 in Haaren, Netherlands, by Mr. van den Oever. This tree is slightly larger than the 'Purple Fountain' cultivar and has larger leaves. It has a graceful, majestic, upright and weeping habit. Its foliage consists of alternate, ovate leaves measuring 6 to 14 cm long. The leaf edges are wavy and hairy. They have 5 to 9 pairs of lateral veins. When the leaves emerge, they are deep red becoming more purple in summer, then coppery brown in autumn. They are marcescent, meaning they dry out while remaining on the tree until the following spring when new leaves appear. The insignificant flowers appear almost at the same time as the leaves, from April to May. The male flowers are grouped in pendulous catkins measuring 40 to 60mm. The female flowers are clustered in groups of 2 to 4 at the end of the branches. Mature trees produce fruits called beech nuts, which are brown, glossy, and covered in bristly prickles. These fruits, measuring 12 to 18mm in length, are edible in small quantities. They were traditionally used by mountain dwellers to make flour.

Fagus sylvatica 'Black Swan' is a hardy tree that requires little maintenance. It is best planted in isolation to showcase its picturesque silhouette. A variegated periwinkle or golden Japanese forest grass can be planted at its base, for example.