New Beech tree

[coolbrze]

Looking into a Beech tree for a customer & thought I'd see if I could get some help here. Went to the nursery and found 2 kinds, a Purple Riversii & a Tricolor Beech. The both are slow growing & reach heights of 50-60 ft. at maturity. Any idea which may be a better tree to plant in the VA soils & climate?

 

[treeseer]

Any idea which may be a better tree to plant in the VA soils & climate?

The one with the best root system.

Check the roots--don't buy a pig in a poke!

Dirr notes that the tricolor is much smaller at maturity; 30' vs. 50'

 

[coolbrze]

The one with the best root system.

Check the roots--don't buy a pig in a poke!

Dirr notes that the tricolor is much smaller at maturity; 30' vs. 50'

After more research, you are right, the nursery said both will mature at about 50', but my studies agree w/ your 30' to 40' tops.

 

[Toddppm]

Most of the tricolors I see around here don't have a very nice shape at all. usually they get pretty lanky and out of shape and don't have the form of a regular Beech at all. I'd go with the other if you're looking for a big tree.