The Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ is an exciting cultivar of the classic European beech tree that brings distinctive color and form to landscapes. With its narrow columnar shape and deep reddish-purple leaves that last all season, it makes a dramatic vertical accent in gardens.
Here is an in-depth look at the ornamental qualities and care for this unique beech variety.
Overview of the Red Obelisk Beech
This selection of European beech was discovered in Germany in the 1960s as a sport or mutation exhibiting unusual growth habits. Some key facts:
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Botanical Name – Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’
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Also Known As – Red Obelisk European beech
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Mature Size – 35-40 feet tall x 8-10 feet wide
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Growth Rate – Slow, reaches 10-12 feet in first 10 years
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Form – Narrow columnar shape with vertical branching
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Foliage – Deep reddish-purple leaves all season
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Flowers – Insignificant yellow-green catkins
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Fall Color – Copper to bronze tones
The compact upright shape coupled with the rich foliage make it very distinct from the species. The burgundy coloring is present throughout the growing season, not just in spring and fall.
Ornamental Features of Red Obelisk Beech
Beyond its graceful narrow habit, the Red Obelisk beech tree provides these visual interests in the landscape:
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Vibrant purple foliage – The crinkled ovate leaves emerge a deep reddish-purple color in spring, maintaining this colorful hue all summer without fading. The dark leaves contrast nicely against the silver-gray trunk.
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Graceful ascending form – The strongly columnar shape stands apart from the rounded canopies of most trees. Lower branches sweep upward, drawing the eye skyward.
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Fall color – Leaves transition to warm coppery-bronze tones in autumn before dropping. Color is brighter in colder climates.
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Winter interest – Branch structure and silver bark add interest after leaves fall.
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Low maintenance – Very hardy once established with no significant pest or disease problems. Needs little to no pruning.
The vibrant dark foliage is the star of this tree, giving it year-round beauty even during the winter. It makes a striking narrow accent or vertical focal point.
Growth Habit
Unlike the spreading canopy of the European beech species, the Red Obelisk cultivar has a strongly columnar form. Growth habit includes:
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Upright branches with horizontal tiers forming a slender pyramidal shape.
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Dense foliage concentrated near the central leader, open and airy at the base.
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Lower branches may sweep ground but can be trimmed up for clearance beneath the canopy.
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Slow growth rate, reaches 10-12 feet in first decade, maturing at 35-40 feet tall and only 8-10 feet wide.
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Takes 20+ years to achieve full height. Long lived, like the species.
The narrowly upright habit allows it to fit into tight garden spots where horizontal space is limited.
Care and Growing Conditions
Like most beeches, the Red Obelisk adapts readily to various site conditions:
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Sun exposure – Full sun for deepest color, but tolerates part shade. Needs good sunlight.
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Soil – Thrives in moist, well-draining loam. Tolerates different soil textures. Avoid saturated soils.
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pH range – Soil pH of 5.5 to 8.0, quite flexible.
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Watering – Needs regular watering when young, reduce frequency when established. Prefers moist soil.
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Hardiness – USDA zones 4-7, cold hardy. Some susceptibility to late spring freezes when young.
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Maintenance – Requires occasional pruning in youth to shape. Otherwise carefree once established.
Avoid extremes of overly wet or dry soil. The Red Obelisk beech is not particular about soil type or pH. Like most beeches, it is sensitive to soil compaction and air pollution. Site carefully away from roadways or structures which can drip lime or cement wash.
Uses in Landscape Design
Thanks to its versatile size and form, the Red Obelisk beech has many applications:
- Accent tree or focal point specimen
- Vertical element for borders or planting beds
- Living screen or hedge to divide spaces
- Allee lining a driveway or marking an entrance
- Container planting for patios or terraces
Urban gardens and other small landscapes can benefit from this compact beech tree. It also naturally suits formal, elegant designs by providing vertical interest and vibrant color. For full effect, plant against a light-colored structure to contrast the dark purple foliage.
Potential Issues
Aside from sensitivity to soil compaction and soil contamination, the Red Obelisk beech tree is relatively trouble-free:
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Monitor for signs of powdery mildew, especially in damp climates. Usually not severe enough for treatment.
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Can get leaf miners which cause browning between leaf veins. Mostly cosmetic damage.
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Occasionally may get aphids, scale, or caterpillars. Easily controlled if necessary.
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Leaf scorch can occur on extremely hot sites. Provide afternoon shade if possible.
When sited and cared for properly, this is a very low maintenance tree. It has no serious common diseases or invasive pest problems.
The Bottom Line
The Red Obelisk European beech offers a gorgeous narrow tree with deep purple foliage for gardeners seeking a colorful upright specimen. It works well in formal and modern landscapes, providing vertical interest and vibrant color that lasts all season. Once established, this slow-growing beech needs minimal care and brings lasting beauty.
Growing Red Obelisk European Beech Trees
The leaves of the Red Obelisk emerge first as a dark red color. The leaves on these plants have interesting shapes and turn 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 makes the Red Obelisk stand out among the green trees and make it an interesting focal point during the winter. The Red Obelisk also bears triangular shaped nuts within a bristled cupule. Wildlife in the area will love these, and they will help bring birds and other small animals to your garden.
The Red Obelisk European Beech does, however, like a lot 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 reason why it is used in many cityscapes. However, Red Obelisks can live in colder places because they can handle temperatures as low as -30 degrees F. If you live in Zones 4 or 5, which are very cold, you might want to think about where you put your tree to make sure it will be safe from the weather.
This particular species of beech is very easy to maintain. Other trees are often attacked by many different kinds of insects, rot, and mildew, but the Red Obelisk doesn’t get many of these problems. You will need to make sure that the tree gets enough water while it is getting used to its new home. Don’t let it get too dry or too many. This tree’s branches tend to grow very close to the ground, so mulching the base might not be necessary unless you live in a cold area or expect long periods of dry weather. Putting mulch around the base of the tree can help raise the ground temperature and keep the tree’s roots from freezing. It can also help the tree stay at the right level of moisture.
As far as pruning is concerned, this comes down to your own personal choice. You can prune the tree so that it looks more even from top to bottom, or you can let it grow naturally and only cut off any dead branches or new growth that might look bad.
Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’
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Fagus sylvatica, also known as the “Red Obelisk,” is a beautiful tall tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall. Its deep burgundy leaves look like crinkled paper. The Red Obelisk’s serrated leaves turn a beautiful coppery-bronze color in the fall, making it a striking addition to your home or business landscape. The Red Obelisk is a versatile and easy-to-care-for tree whose colorful leaves are reason enough to grow it. The Red Obelisk requires little to no pruning and just regular watering until it is established. You can choose the Red Obelisk to break up boring green landscapes and add a unique splash of color to your property, or you can use it as the focal point of your garden.
Trees are an important part of any lawn or property. They make great focal points on your property by drawing attention to themselves and their surroundings, but picking the right tree isn’t always easy. You might not be able to start from scratch when designing your dream garden, and you’ll have to work around things that have already been put in place. Choosing the right tree to fit your space doesn’t always have to be difficult. The Red Obelisk makes those tough decisions much easier by combining two important elements; height and color. Because they can grow to be 40 feet tall or more, they can add a strong vertical element to landscape designs that are at or below eye level. This type of beech tree is great for places with limited space because it is tall and narrow, never getting wider than five feet across.
The Red Obelisk tree loses its leaves in the fall. It was created when a seedling from the “Dawyck” variety was crossed with a flower from the “Rohanii” variety. Dutch people first saw the tree, and they raised it there until the late 1980s, when it came to North America. It has since then become a popular addition to urban, suburban, and city gardens. Its tall columnar and sharp upright pointed branches allowed even the smallest garden to host such a tree. The Red Obelisk is also quite tolerant of soil conditions that may not be optimal. It does well in almost all types of soil as long as it drains well and isn’t planted near water that stays still.
Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’
FAQ
How big do Fagus sylvatica fastigiata get?
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Tree Name
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Fastigiate European Beech
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Height
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40′ to 50′
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Tree Size
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10″ to 12″ caliper Specimen
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Zone
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5
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Short Desc
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Slow-growing columnar tree with green foliage and grayish bark.
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What is red obelisk beech Fagus sylvatica?
Red Obelisk Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ is a fantastic selection from the Trompenburg Arboretum in Holland. This dark purple, columnar seedling has strong, reliable growth in a refined, compact habit. Use the dramatic purple column as a striking accent plant or create a memorable tree-line along a border or drive.
How do you care for a Fagus sylvatica red obelisk columnar European beech tree?
Water the tree thoroughly after planting. Watering: The Fagus Sylvatica Red Obelisk Columnar European Beech Tree prefers moist soil but can also tolerate some dryness. Water the tree regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
What is a red obelisk beech?
The European beech, Fagus sylvatica, is a tree celebrated for its majestic beauty and timeless elegance. The ‘Red Obelisk’ is a particularly stunning variety among its many cultivars.
What is a red 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 settings, Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ is a choice that garden enthusiasts and landscape designers often make to add a touch of drama and vertical interest to their spaces.