Green Beech, Common Beech, Beech
The Green Beech, is Native to most of Central Europe and grows to a Magnificent 40m. Has many commercial uses including Wood whichis usd for furniture and other indoor uses; its Leaves, Nuts and Oil which are used in culinary and medicinal preparation. It makes a lovely Medium to Large Bonsai and is Popluar in Forest Groups.
Formal upright, Informal Upright, Slanting, Cascade, Semi-cascade, Rock-over-root, Clasped-to-rock, Twin-trunk, Clump, Group planting, Saikei
Full sun, but semi-shade in midsummer.
Frequently, especially during hot weather, to prevent the edges of the leaves from drying out. Reduce watering in winter.
Feed every two weeks until the end of summer. Start with a high nitrogen fertiliser in spring, switching to low nitrogen fetiliser in late summer.
Leaf and Branch Pruning:
Structural branch pruning best carried out late autumn. Prune stem back to 2 leafs as it develops 3/4 leaf on the stems.
Re-potting & Growing Medium:
Repotting can be undertaken in Autumn or in Spring, before bud burst, every 2-3 years for young plants and every 4-5 years for older ones. Better to carry out heavier root work during Autumn Repotting. Tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers well drained acid soil mediums. 1 Part Loam, 1 Part Peat, 2 Parts Sharp Sand. (1 Part Akadama, 1 Part Fuji Grit)
Genrerally not necessary. Use stem and bracnh pruning to shape. If wired, protect bark as it is delicate and prone to scaring.
Because of its large leaves, beech is generally reserved for medium to large size bonsai. Because beech grows so slowly, it is a long- term project to grow a specimen beech. This is why young beech are often used in forest plantings.