Fagus sylvatica Cristata

Fagus sylvatica 'Cristata' is a relatively small selection of Common Beech, with slow growth and foliage grouped in clusters on the branches. The green leaves are curly and irregularly cut in the shape of a crest. This tree has a wide fan-shaped crown and its inflorescences are insignificant. This hardy Beech grows in full sun or partial shade, in a wide range of soils. It is planted in a large shrub bed or as a solitary specimen.

The Beech, in Latin Fagus sylvatica, is an imposing tree with a spreading habit. Its cylindrical trunk is covered with smooth, light gray bark. This tree can live for several centuries. It is native to central Europe to the Caucasus and one of the most common species in European forests, reaching a height of 20m at maturity. Its reddish wood is used in cabinetmaking and for the production of wooden tools and toys, as well as firewood. It is a member of the Fagaceae family, which also includes the Oak, Chestnut, and a few other lesser-known genera.

The 'Cristata' Beech is characterised by slow growth and modest development, reaching a height of 8 to 10m and a width of 6 to 7m at maturity. Its crown widens at the top over time to form a spreading crown. It is a unique variety of Beech with small, deeply toothed or lobed leaves that are delightfully incurved. It is interesting to note that the leaves do not grow uniformly on the branches but in groups of several. Between the clusters of leaves, long bare stems without leaves are clearly visible. This gives the plant an exotic appearance, resembling a bonsai. This small tree is hardy down to -25°C, appreciates humus-bearing soils and does not tolerate drought.

Fagus sylvatica 'Cristata' is a charming small tree with an architectural silhouette and attractive foliage that can be planted in medium to large gardens. It requires no maintenance where it thrives and prefers cool and temperate, or mountain, climates. It will suffer in gardens with excessively hot and dry summers. It thrives particularly well in cool, but not too wet, well-drained soils, even limestone and preferably rich in humus. Planted as a solitary specimen, it becomes a focal point of interest. However, it can also be trained as a topiary to reduce its size or cultivated as a bonsai.