Trees

Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Pendula'

Purple weeping beech

Purple weeping beech. Photo: wallygrom / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Purpurea Pendula creates a broad, cascading canopy rather than a naturally upright leader. Its arching branches carry dark reddish-brown leaves, producing a dense, umbrella-like form. Overall height depends on grafting and training, so two plants of the same cultivar may have quite different proportions when offered for sale.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Size: Height: About 2.5–4 m in the RHS cultivar profile; depends on graft height and training · Width: About 2.5–4 m in the RHS cultivar profile; older trained specimens may be wider
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA zone 6a minimum

Sizes & prices

B&B 6'$399.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Small-garden specimen
Form: Broad, dense and weeping
Growth rate: Slow
Major issues: Beech leaf disease threatens American and European beeches. Also watch for beech bark disease, scale and stress-related borers.
Fruit / litter: Beechnuts and dry leaves provide seasonal litter; some leaves remain through winter.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Parent-species guidance: Some browsing resistance; not deer-proof. Protect young plants.
Drought: Best with steady moisture; hot, dry sites stress foliage and shallow roots.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Avoid waterlogged or poorly drained soil.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Wildlife food: Nuts for birds and small mammals
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Keep in mind: Overall height depends on graft height and training; confirm the form of the actual nursery plant.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deep reddish-brown; deciduous

Growing & care

Pruning: Preserve the natural crown; weeping forms may need early leader training. Avoid heavy canopy opening and damage to shallow roots or thin bark.

Sources & photo credits

Royal Horticultural Society

Van den Berk Nurseries

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

NC State Extension

Penn State Extension

Photo: wallygrom / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0; resized for web. · CC BY-SA 2.0

Image notes: Purple weeping beech. Photo: wallygrom / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0; resized for web.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.