Fagus sylvatica is an excellent choice for native beech hedging, offering glossy green leaves, outstanding wildlife value and year-round screening - even as a deciduous species. The lush green foliage creates a dense screen that turns yellow in autumn, with bronzed leaves often hanging onto branches until new ones emerge in spring. This native hedging provides a valuable habitat for birds and insects and produces beech mast (fruit) in some years, enjoyed by wildlife including deer and squirrels. Common Beech hedging grows well in most conditions, including alkaline soils and windy sites but performs less well in very cold or wet sites. It can be kept as low as 1.2 metres or left unpruned to grow to over 5 metres. Its timeless appeal suits formal, country, contemporary, wildlife-friendly and woodland gardens. Also known as: Fagus sylvatica hedge, European or Green beech hedge
