Plant bare root Copper Beech between November and April when dormant. Like common Beech, it prefers well-drained soils and will not tolerate waterlogging — avoid heavy clay or boggy ground. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is excellent on chalk and sandy soils.

Space 3–5 plants per metre for a dense hedge. Soak roots for 1–2 hours before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread roots without bending, plant to the nursery mark depth, firm in and water well.

Water during dry spells in the first season. Trim once a year in late summer to maintain shape. For a mixed native hedge, Copper Beech combines beautifully with Green Beech, creating a tapestry effect of purple and green foliage.

25 bare root Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea Group) plants at 60–90cm height. Bare root form, supplied dormant November–April. Covers approximately 5–8 metres of hedging.

Bare root plants are dispatched between November and April during the dormant season. Orders placed outside this window will be held and dispatched at the start of the next bare root season. Free standard delivery to mainland UK. Plants are carefully bundled and wrapped to protect roots in transit. Contact us before ordering if you need a specific delivery date.

Copper Beech provides similar wildlife value to common Beech. The foliage is eaten by caterpillars of moths including the Barred Hook-tip, Clay Triple-lines, and Olive Crescent. Seeds (mast) are eaten by mice, voles, squirrels, and birds. Dense hedging provides excellent nesting and roosting cover for birds. Long-lived beech hedges develop habitats for deadwood specialists, hole-nesting birds, and wood-boring insects. The bark supports fungi, mosses, and lichens.