Nothofagus fusca
Common name: 
New Zealand Red Beech
Red Beech
Southern Beech
Pronunciation: 
no-thoh-FAH-gus fus-KA
Family: 
Fagaceae
Genus: 
Nothofagus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen tree, to about 20-40 ft (6-12 m) in cultivation; 120 ft (36 m) in its wild habitat.   Shoots red-brown, pubescent, often zigzag.  Leaves simple, alternate, broad-ovate, 3-5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, 4-8 large acute teeth on each side, thin, papery texture, 3-5 vein pairs, upper surface yellow-green to dark green, shiny below with minute pits at the base, turns bright red before falling in the second year.  Male flowers grouped 1-3 with 8-11 stamens.  Fruit red, 4-valved, 12 mm capsule, with 3 seeds.
  • Sun to light shade, acidic well-drained soil
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 8?     Native to New Zealand
  • fusca: dark brown or somber; reference to the foliage and wood.
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  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • foliage

    foliage

  • leaf

    leaf

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark