{{Short description|Cultured variety of the deciduous European Beech}} {{Infobox cultivar | name = Weeping beech | image = Weepingbeech.RI.JPG | image_caption = Weeping beech, Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport, Rhode Island | species = ''Fagus sylvatica'' | group = '''Pendula Group''' | origin = }}

The '''weeping beech''', ''Fagus sylvatica'' 'Pendula', is a cultivar of the deciduous European beech.<ref>[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=245712&isprofile=1&basic=European%20Beech Missouri Botanical Garden. ''Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'.''] Retrieved 27 October 2020</ref> The original tree was found in the grounds of an English park, and it has been propagated by grafting, then many distributed widely.<ref>Orange Judd (Editor) {{google books|zB3nAAAAMAAJ|American Agriculturist, Volume 22 (1863)|page=272}}</ref>

==Physical description== The weeping beech is characterized by its shape with sweeping, pendulous branches. The trunk of the tree may not be visible from a distance due to the presence of the covering "weeping" branches. Branches may reach the ground and start new roots again. Smaller than the common beech, the tree can reach a height of up to {{convert|25|m}} and tends to be wider than high.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stihl.com/792.aspx?idTree=41 |title=Stihl Encyclopedia of Trees: Weeping Beech | accessdate=September 22, 2013}}</ref>

Leaves of the weeping beech are broad, flat, simple and not lobed. They have smooth margins and alternate. They typically measure {{convert|5|-|10|cm}} in length. Flowers appear in the spring and are inconspicuous.<ref name=gilman>{{cite web | url=http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/FAGSYLD.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808172912/http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/FAGSYLD.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 8, 2016 | title=Fagus sylvatica pendula, European Weeping Beech | vauthors=Gilman EF, Watson DG | year=1993 | accessdate=December 1, 2009}} </ref>

The beechnuts sit in a thin spiny husk and are less than 5&nbsp;cm in diameter.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ilearnindiana.net/tree/fact%20pages/beech_weeping/beech_weeping.html | title=Weeping Beech| author=Ohio Public Library Information Network | accessdate=December 1, 2009 }}</ref> The triangular beech nuts are popular in autumn with birds, mice and squirrels.{{Citation needed|date = July 2016}}<!--advert?-->

The green leaves become copper-toned in the fall. In winter the skeleton of the silvery stem with its branches remains attractive.{{Citation needed|date = July 2016}} The purple pigment in the leaves acts like a sunscreen to protect its new leaves, which is particularly important for plants that grow at high altitudes where the sun is fierce.

==Habitat and maintenance== thumb|Under the umbrella of a weeping beech thumb|Weeping beech in Newport, Rhode Island (August 2015) The tree is not native to North America but grows in USDA hardiness zones 4–7.<ref name=gilman/> It needs moisture and well drained soil and prefers sunny to semi-shaded zones. The tree does not tolerate industrial pollution or street salt.{{Citation needed|date = March 2018}}

Young trees need to be staked to make them grow upward; growth tends to be slow. Weeping beeches may live for 150 to 200 years.{{Citation needed|date = July 2016}}

Pests that can attack the tree includes aphids, borers (flat-headed apple tree borer, two-lined chestnut borer), certain caterpillars, and fungal disease.<ref name=gilman/>

==References== <references/>

Category:Fagus Category:Weeping trees Category:Ornamental plant cultivars

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