Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ | Fastigiate Beech
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' is a cultivar of the Common Beech, Fagus sylvatica. This is a slender, pyramidal tree with straight, upright branches and upright twigs that start low on the trunk. The Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' is an architecturally stunning tree that can reach heights of up to 20m, although its tight, columnar habit does not exceed 3m in width. Like the species, it has inconspicuous flowers in spring and as the tree matures, produces beech nuts in autumn. The leaves are ovate, and are shiny, dark green in summer turning to golden-brown in autumn. The leaves often remain on the tree throughout winter. The Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' is not a very demanding tree and will grow well on any fertile, free-draining soil. It doesn't like wet or clay areas, and is not tolerant of exposed or coastal sites. There are several types of this tree available: Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Gold'. This tree has yellow foliage in spring, turning to pale green in summer and finally shades of yellow in autumn. The Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple' has red foliage in spring, turning to deep purple in summer and finally bronzed- brown in autumn.
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' was a chance discovery by Sir John Naesmyth, one of the past owners of the Dawyck estate in Peeblesshire, Scotland. In 1860 he came across an unusual looking seedling near Dawyck Mill, and had the plant transplanted to the grounds of the house so he could keep an eye on its development. It was first produced and sold commercially in 1912 by Hesse nursery.
