As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that beech trees are generally not considered fast-growing trees. However, it’s important to note that their growth rate can vary depending on the conditions they are planted in.
In full shade, where beech trees do not receive much sunlight, their growth is significantly slower. It is not uncommon for beech trees in full shade to only put on a few inches of growth per year. This slow growth in shade is often the reason for the reputation of beech trees being slow growers. If you have a heavily shaded area in your garden, it may not be the ideal spot for a beech tree.
On the other hand, if beech trees are planted in open areas where they can receive ample sunlight, their growth rate can be much faster. Once established, beech trees in the open can grow a foot or two per year. This is a considerable increase in growth compared to their performance in full shade.
I have personally witnessed the difference in growth rates between beech trees planted in shade and those in open areas. In a shaded corner of my garden, I planted a beech tree a few years ago. It has been growing at a snail’s pace, barely putting on any noticeable growth each year. However, in another part of my garden where the beech tree is exposed to full sunlight, it has grown much more vigorously, adding significant height and width to its canopy each season.
It’s worth mentioning that while beech trees can grow faster in the open, they are still not considered rapid growers like some other tree species. If you are looking for a tree that will quickly provide shade or privacy, there are other options that may be more suitable.
To summarize, beech trees are generally not fast-growing trees, especially in full shade where their growth is severely limited. However, when planted in open areas where they can receive abundant sunlight, their growth rate can increase to a foot or two per year. It’s essential to consider the specific conditions in your garden to determine if a beech tree is the right choice for you.
