Hanging beech

Hanging beech
	Sloping beech in autumn
Systematics
	Eurosiden I
Order :	Beech-like (Fagales)
Family :	Beech family (Fagaceae)
Genre :	Beech ( Fagus )
Type :	European beech ( Fagus sylvatica )
Variety :	Hanging beech
Scientific name
	Fagus sylvatica f. pendula
	Domin

The hanging beech ( Fagus sylvatica f. Pendula ), also called weeping beech , is next to the copper beech the best-known ornamental form of the common beech ( Fagus sylvatica ). It can be found in many parks and, because of the form of mourning, also in many cemeteries . It is the breeding development of a naturally occurring pendula shape .

The growth form of the hanging beech is most comparable to the shape of a water fountain . The trunk first strives purposefully upwards and then forms branches that change the direction of growth in an arched manner, first spreading horizontally, and then allowing their branches to hang almost vertically to the ground.

Propagation takes place by grafting a hanging beech onto a beech, which leads to a characteristic bulge on the trunk.

Looking a bit thin at a young age, the hanging beeches show an extremely picturesque growth with age. Sometimes single long side branches grow from the trunk, meandering horizontally, and thus disturb the slim shape of the tree. Likewise, individual branches often grow out of the crown, which are completely bare on the top.

The hanging beech is considered to be the largest central European weeping form of a tree . However, their height hardly exceeds 20 meters. There are already several variations in growth and foliage color.

Hanging beeches with low trunk splitting, adhesions and serpentine branches that form a broad crown, thus approach the common beeches very closely in their habitus , which leads to confusion.