Evergreen Gardenworks
2008
Descriptive Catalog

Fagus (Beech) I will never forget the beeches of my childhood on the east coast. Enormous steel-gray smooth trunks almost fairy-like. Beech, European and Japanese, are very popular for bonsai, both as group plantings and individual specimen upright trees. We are very fortunate to be able to offer Japanese Beech a very rare tree in this country and extremely difficult to obtain.

All species of beech share the common trait of being quite different in leaf and bud from most other deciduous trees. Mature plants generally set one set of leaves per season. The leaf buds are thick and fleshy and not very numerous. This requires a different strategy for bonsai growing. In general, they should not be trunk chopped like other deciduous trees, but rather grown out using sacrifice branches to obtain caliper. It is difficult to get good taper to the apex and maintain the fine ramification that is necessary. A good apex requires planning ahead, selecting a small upright branch in a good location, and cutting back to this point.

Pruning scars are also a problem. The species tends to develop a thick callus which will create an unsightly bulge. This is especially difficult in the top of the tree when selecting the apex. I have found that wrapping the cut area tightly with grafting tape will help minimize the bulge, but you should still try to have the scars placed to the back of the tree.

Beech will back bud, but with difficulty. Plants that are to be cut back should be young and vigorously growing. Try not to remove all of the preformed buds or you may lose the tree. Buds tend to form at branch collars, so overly thick branches can be removed and new, thinner ones started in the same location if you leave a small stub. This method can also be used to grow new branches where older branches have all their foliage at the tips. Beech are generally not defoliated, although it is possible to do it every few years for show purposes.

4040 Fagus crenata (Japanese Beech, 'Buna') S\PS\M\-20ø\Ls\B Highly prized for bonsai especially for group plantings, this small beech is very rare in this country and very difficult to obtain. The leaves are smaller and more pointed than F. sylvatica and the bark is a beautiful smooth grayish white in older trees, even in bonsai situations, almost reminiscent of white birch. 2 3/4 INCH POT SIZE about 1/4 inch caliper and ten inches tall. One gallon size plants are 3/4 inch caliper and prune down to about 12 to 16 inches, well branched. 2 3/4 INCH POTS $10 ONE GALLON SIZE $30

Fagus sylvatica (European Beech) S\PS\M\-40ø\Ls\B Deciduous trees to 90 feet. Beautiful smooth gray bark even into great age and thick glossy green, copper, or purple leaves. Some varieties weep. Needs protection from afternoon sun in hottest driest areas and salt free water. Salts stunt the tree and turn leaves brown at the edge. For bonsai this can be overcome somewhat by acidifying the water and soil. Rusty fall color, leaves tend to stay on the tree most of the winter. A classic bonsai tree.

4050 Fagus sylvatica Seedling trees of the species for landscape or bonsai use. For bonsai may be used as specimen or group planting. Our 2 3/4 inch pot size are relatively straight and are about 12 to 16 inches tall with 1/4 inch or greater caliper. These are transplanted root pruned field grown trees that are nicely branched. Please note if you desire a range of sizes for a group planting.
2 3/4 INCH POTS $8 Available Sept '08
FOUR INCH POTS $12 Available Sept '08

4060 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea (Purple or Copper Beech) Seedling trees selected for their colored leaves that can range from a bronzy copper to deep purple new growth in spring turning to bronzy green in summer. ONE GALLON SIZE $30 Available Sept '08

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