Standard Trees
Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea'
Copper beech
Rich purple leaves from spring to autumn and smooth grey bark. The copper beech is one of the most magnificent specimen trees for larger gardens.
Deep purple-copper foliage
Smooth grey bark
Majestic, long-lived specimen
Striking contrast with green trees
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Standard tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Spring to autumn foliage
Eventual size
Large in time; 15 m or more
Position
Full sun
Soil
Free-draining, including chalk
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of girth sizes, root-balled in season or container-grown. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
The copper beech has been a classic of British parks and estates for centuries, its dark canopy standing out against greens all summer.
It is long-lived and grows into a truly magnificent tree.
How to use it
A statement tree for larger gardens, parkland and estates.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring, stake securely and water well through the first two summers. Prune in winter while dormant to remove crossing or damaged branches and keep a balanced crown.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, copper and purple beech are names used for the purple-leaved forms of Fagus sylvatica.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Standard trees are sold by girth, the circumference of the stem 1 m above ground. A 12–14 cm heavy standard is a popular size for gardens, while larger semi-mature trees give instant impact. See our guide to tree sizes and specifications.
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Yes, and we encourage it. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. We can also send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide with our own in-house team, and larger trees can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett.
All our standard trees
Explore every tree in our standard trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.