The Fagus sylvatica ‘ Red Obelisk ’ is an exciting cultivar of the classic European beechwood tree that brings classifiable colour and form to landscapes . With its narrow columniform shape and deep reddish - purpleness leave that last all season , it makes a dramatic vertical emphasis in gardens .
Here is an in - depth look at the decorative qualities and care for this unique beech variety .
Overview of the Red Obelisk Beech
This selection of European beechwood was discovered in Germany in the 1960s as a sportswoman or genetic mutation exhibiting unusual growth habits . Some fundamental facts :
Botanical Name – Fagus sylvatica ‘ Red Obelisk ’
Also know As – Red Obelisk European beech

Mature Size – 35 - 40 feet tall x 8 - 10 foot wide
Growth Rate – Slow , reaches 10 - 12 feet in first 10 years
Form – narrow-minded columnar shape with perpendicular branching
Foliage – recondite reddish - purple farewell all time of year
Flowers – Insignificant yellow - green catkin
fall down coloring – pig to bronze tones
The heavyset upright physical body coupled with the rich leafage make it very distinct from the specie . The burgundy color is present throughout the growing time of year , not just in outpouring and fall .
Ornamental Features of Red Obelisk Beech
Beyond its graceful narrow drug abuse , the Red Obelisk beech tree provides these visual interest in the landscape painting :
vivacious purple leafage – The crinkled ovate leave of absence come forth a abstruse ruby - purple color in spring , keep up this colorful hue all summer without fading . The dark-skinned leaves counterpoint nicely against the silver - grayish trunk .
Graceful ascending form – The strongly columnar shape stands aside from the rounded canopies of most tree diagram . Lower branches span upward , draw the centre skyward .
Fall vividness – forget transition to warm coppery - bronze step in fall before throw . Color is brighter in colder climates .
wintertime interest group – Branch bodily structure and silver bark add interest after leaves fall .
scurvy maintenance – Very hardy once establish with no pregnant pest or disease problems . Needs little to no pruning .
The vivacious dark foliage is the star of this tree , giving it yr - round beauty even during the winter . It make a prominent narrow accent or perpendicular focal detail .
Growth Habit
Unlike the spreading canopy of the European beechwood coinage , the Red Obelisk cultivar has a powerfully columnar form . Growth habit includes :
just branch with horizontal tiers form a lithe pyramidic form .
thick foliage reduce near the central drawing card , open and airy at the base .
Lower branches may sweep ground but can be trimmed up for clearance beneath the canopy .
ho-hum growing rate , pass on 10 - 12 pes in first decade , maturing at 35 - 40 base marvelous and only 8 - 10 feet wide .
take 20 + days to achieve full summit . Long lived , like the mintage .
The narrowly upright drug abuse allows it to fit into compressed garden spots where horizontal blank is limited .
Care and Growing Conditions
Like most beeches , the Red Obelisk adapts pronto to various site conditions :
Sun exposure – Full Dominicus for deep colour , but tolerates part shade . ask effective sunlight .
Soil – Thrives in moist , well - draining loam . Tolerates different land texture . Avoid saturated soils .
pH kitchen stove – Soil pH of 5.5 to 8.0 , quite flexible .
lachrymation – call for even watering when vernal , scale down frequency when established . Prefers moist territory .
Hardiness – USDA zones 4 - 7 , cold hardy . Some susceptibility to late spring freeze when young .
sustentation – Requires episodic pruning in youth to mold . Otherwise carefree once establish .
void extreme of overly sozzled or dry grease . The Red Obelisk beech is not particular about soil type or pH. Like most beechwood , it is raw to grime compaction and melodic phrase befoulment . Site carefully away from roadways or structures which can drop lime or cementum washing .
Uses in Landscape Design
Thanks to its various size and form , the Red Obelisk beech has many applications :
Urban garden and other pocket-sized landscape can benefit from this succinct beechwood Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . It also naturally suit formal , elegant designs by providing vertical interest and vibrant colour . For full outcome , industrial plant against a light - colored structure to contrast the dark purple leafage .
Potential Issues
Aside from predisposition to soil compaction and ground pollution , the Red Obelisk beech tree tree is comparatively trouble - free :
supervise for signs of powdery mildew , especially in moist climates . Usually not severe enough for discussion .
Can get leafage miners which stimulate brown between leaf vein . Mostly enhancive damage .
Occasionally may get aphid , scale , or caterpillars . easy controlled if necessary .
Leaf singe can pass off on exceedingly hot sites . Provide good afternoon shade if possible .
When sited and handle for right , this is a very downhearted sustenance Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . It has no serious common disease or invasive pest problems .
The Bottom Line
The Red Obelisk European beechwood proffer a gorgeous narrow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with bass purple leafage for nurseryman seeking a coloured upright specimen . It works well in schematic and modern landscape , providing vertical interest and vibrant coloration that lasts all time of year . Once found , this slowly - grow beech needs minimal care and brings lasting beauty .
Growing Red Obelisk European Beech Trees
The leave of absence of the Red Obelisk emerge first as a colored red colour . The leaves on these plant life have interesting shapes and work a darker purple in the summer . They add color and contrast to their environment . The purple leaves turn a coppery bronze color in the winter . This make the Red Obelisk stick out out among the green tree diagram and make it an interesting focal point during the wintertime . The Red Obelisk also bears triangular shape nuts within a thorny acorn cup . Wildlife in the expanse will make out these , and they will help bring birds and other small animate being to your garden .
The Red Obelisk European Beech does , however , like a sight of sunlight , so you will need to put it somewhere where it will get most of the day . It can also handle pollution from cities , which is a big understanding why it is used in many cityscapes . However , Red Obelisks can live in cold position because they can do by temperatures as low as -30 level F. If you know in Zones 4 or 5 , which are very insensate , you might want to think about where you put your tree to check that it will be safe from the weather .
This particular species of beech is very well-fixed to keep . Other tree are often attack by many dissimilar sort of insects , waste , and mold , but the Red Obelisk does n’t get many of these problems . You will want to make certain that the tree gets enough piddle while it is getting used to its new plate . Do n’t let it get too dry or too many . This tree ’s branches tend to grow very close to the basis , so mulching the base might not be necessary unless you live in a cold region or expect long periods of dry weather . Putting mulch around the base of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can help raise the primer coat temperature and keep the tree ’s ascendent from freezing . It can also help the tree stay at the right grade of wet .
As far as pruning is concerned , this come down to your own personal option . you’re able to prune the tree so that it looks more even from top to bottom , or you’re able to let it grow naturally and only cut off any dead leg or new growth that might look bad .
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Fagus sylvatica , also known as the “ Red Obelisk , ” is a beautiful marvellous tree diagram that can grow up to 50 foot tall . Its bass Bourgogne leave look like crinkled paper . The Red Obelisk ’s serrate parting turn a beautiful coppery - bronze color in the fall , making it a striking addition to your home or business landscape painting . The Red Obelisk is a various and easy - to - attention - for tree whose colored folio are reason enough to grow it . The Red Obelisk requires little to no pruning and just unconstipated lacrimation until it is ground . you may choose the Red Obelisk to fall in up deadening green landscape and add a unique splash of color to your property , or you may use it as the focal stop of your garden .
Trees are an significant part of any lawn or property . They make great focal points on your holding by drawing attention to themselves and their surroundings , but pick the right-hand tree diagram is n’t always easy . You might not be able to start from scratch when plan your dream garden , and you ’ll have to function around things that have already been put in place . Choosing the right tree to fit your blank does n’t always have to be hard . The Red Obelisk throw those elusive decisions much easy by conflate two important elements ; height and colour . Because they can grow to be 40 feet tall or more , they can add up a strong erect element to landscape painting designing that are at or below eye level . This type of beech tree is expectant for places with circumscribed blank space because it is tall and narrow , never getting wide than five feet across .
The Red Obelisk tree loses its leaves in the fall . It was make when a seedling from the “ Dawyck ” variety was interbreed with a flower from the “ Rohanii ” miscellanea . Dutch masses first saw the tree , and they raised it there until the later eighties , when it number to North America . It has since then become a popular improver to urban , suburban , and city gardens . Its grandiloquent columnar and sharp vertical pointed branches leave even the smallest garden to host such a tree diagram . The Red Obelisk is also quite tolerant of soil conditions that may not be optimum . It does well in almost all types of filth as long as it drains well and is n’t planted near body of water that stays still .
FAQ
How big do Fagus sylvatica fastigiata get ?
What is red dagger beech Fagus sylvatica ?
Red Obelisk Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘ Red Obelisk ’ is a fantastical selection from the Trompenburg Arboretum in Holland . This dark purpleness , columnlike seedling has strong , reliable ontogenesis in a refined , compact habit . utilize the dramatic purplish editorial as a outstanding accent plant or make a memorable tree - line along a borderline or drive .
How do you give care for a Fagus sylvatica crimson obelisk columnlike European beech tree ?
irrigate the tree good after constitute . Watering : The Fagus Sylvatica Red Obelisk Columnar European Beech Tree prefers moist soil but can also tolerate some dispassionateness . Water the tree regularly , especially during blistering and dry periods . avert overwatering , as this can lead to antecedent rot .
What is a red obelisk beech ?
The European beech , Fagus sylvatica , is a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree celebrated for its purple looker and timeless elegance . The ‘ Red Obelisk ’ is a especially stunning variety among its many cultivar .
What is a violent obelisk ?
The ‘ Red Obelisk ’ is a particularly stunning variety among its many cultivars . With its striking foliage , narrow , columnar form , and adaptability to various garden options , Fagus sylvatica ‘ Red Obelisk ’ is a alternative that garden partisan and landscape designer often make to impart a skin senses of drama and erect pursuit to their infinite .