When Do the Leaves of a Weeping Purple Beech Open?

Leaf Opening

• Growing 12 feet tall and wide, weeping purple beech opens its leaves in early spring, followed by mid- to late-spring flowers. Trees detect lengthening days and warming temperatures as winter wanes. New leaf buds develop out of growing points that may still have old, decaying foliage attached. As new buds enlarge, the remaining foliage simply falls to the ground. Persistent old foliage shades limbs from sunscald and insulates the tree partially from freezing temperatures. New leaf buds emerge on healthy limbs for optimal photosynthesis.

Deciduous Tree Science

• Weeping purple beech opens new leaves in spring to avoid damaging winter weather. For example, leaves transpire, or exchange moisture, with the surrounding air mass. During winter, transpiration processes slow or stop altogether because leaves are dying back. Winter leaf dieback protects the tree from losing critical moisture to the atmosphere; it also prevents leaves from freeze damage. Once spring arrives, new leaves actively exchange moisture as photosynthesis increases productivity. By using temperature and sunlight exposure as signals, weeping purple beech trees flourish during warmer seasons.

Root Influence

• Because of its drooping limbs and foliage, weeping purple beech shades its immediate surroundings -- other plants, like turfgrass, cannot grow vigorously in deep shade. This shading reduces competition for natural resources. Beech trees form extensive root systems reaching horizontally for oxygen, moisture and nutrients. During winter, roots do not actively absorb moisture for leaves. Foliage dies back until warming spring heats the soil for increased root activity. As roots begin their nutrient and water uptake, new leaves have ample resources to form and emerge. However, you must maintain a well-drained soil site with damp conditions and full sunlight exposure for healthy leaf and flowering periods.

Energy Conservation

• Purple beech does not waste energy when sunlight is scarce; fall and winter do not provide days long enough for optimal photosynthesis. By dropping leaves in winter and growing new buds in spring, Purple beeches conserve energy. Their slow-growing habit also contributes to energy conservation. Because they do not have towering heights, weeping beeches concentrate energy on leaf development and reproduction.