Description
Nothofagus – Southern Beech –
There are about 35 species of fast growing evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs in this genus. They occur in the southern Hemisphere (New Guinea and New Caledonia to Australia, New Zealand, and South America), where they occur as forest trees from sea level to the mountains. They produce dark green. Alternate, simple, smooth edge or toothed, sometimes wavy edge leaves. They bear insignificant fruits and flowers. They are grown for their habit and foliage, and, incase of deciduous species for their attractive autumn rich bronze hues in fall. Grow as specimen trees in a large garden or woodland garden. In the wild, they often attain much greater height than in cultivation.
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained, acidic soil in full sun. Shelter evergreen species from strong cold winds, at least when young. Protect from salt laden winds.
Prone to root rot.
N. menziesii – New Zealand Silver Beech – Silver Beech – This dense conical, evergreen tree from New Zealand grows 50-70′ feet tall and 25′ feet wide although usually 15′ feet tall in cultivation. It has silvery white bark when young maturing to a distinctive horizontally banded and flaking gray bark. It bears oval to rounded, leathery , dark green leaves, to 3/4″ long, coarsely serrated, and pale green when young. Flower appear as small catkins in summer.
Zones 8-9
