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Fagus sylvatica purpurea L.
Large tree with deciduous simple leaves and low hanging branches with reddish purple foliage that turns blackish purple by summer.
Scientific Name: Fagus sylvatica
Family: Fagaceae (Beech)
Distribution: Native to Central Europe and Caucasus. European colonists brought this tree to America in the mid-1700s and it has been a popular ornamental shade tree since that time.
Uses: The bark is antacid, antiseptic, antitussive, expectorant and used for tooth ache. A tar called creosote is obtained by dry distillation of the branches. It is used as an expectorant and for various skin diseases. A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed and it is used for fuel, lubricant and for wood polishing. The seed residue is poisonous. The dried twigs can be used as toothpicks.
Location on Campus: Only one Copper Beech specimen resides on the Mount Aloysius campus. it is located just outside of the Administrations building by Parking Lot 1.
Coordinates: Latitude: 40.459964 Longitude: -78.600509 Elevation: 2050.7 Feet
Habitat: The Copper Beech is a cultivated variety of the European Beech that has been widely planted in Pennsylvania as an ornamental tree. It is most often found in large landscapes, parks, and college campuses where its impressive size and striking purple foliage can be showcased. This species grows best in deep, fertile soils that are moist yet well-drained, and it is sensitive to compacted or waterlogged ground. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil environment and thrives in areas that receive full sunlight, which enhances the deep coloration of its leaves, though it can also tolerate partial shade. Because of its shallow, wide-spreading roots, the tree competes heavily with surrounding vegetation for water and nutrients, so it grows best in open settings with little root competition. The climate of Pennsylvania, which falls within the tree’s hardiness zones, is generally well suited to its growth, allowing it to reach impressive heights and live for centuries when conditions are favorable. The Copper Beech’s broad canopy provides shade and some habitat for wildlife, while its nuts can serve as a food source, although its ecological role is smaller compared to the native American Beech. Like native beech species, it is vulnerable to several threats, especially Beech Leaf Disease, which has spread throughout Pennsylvania, as well as fungal infections that become more severe when the tree is under stress. Despite these challenges, established specimens in the state demonstrate how well the Copper Beech can adapt, like the one on our campus.
Full view of the tree on campus.
Close up view of the leaves.
References
Organic Plant Care LLC. Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’).
https://organicplantcarellc.com/copper-beech-fagus-sylvatica-purpurea
New England Forestry Foundation. (2025). Meet the American Beech. Retrieved from https://newenglandforestry.org/meet-the-american-beech/#:~:text=Range,Identification
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