European Beech is not considered hardy here by the state of MN. Almost never see it at independent garden centers. The big box stores will sometimes bring them in so I have tried them. The cold winter a few years back killed Purple Fountain and the Tricolor sustained a lot of bud damage, but has been okay since then.

I heard from a local IGC around the cities that Red Obelisk is a hardy selection.

Good to know.....I can't begin to explain how many websites have rated all of the European Beech cultivars zone 4. How about american beech?

It is possible to grow Fagus Sylvatica in zone 4, but you need to be careful selecting the trees from a suitable origin. The species grows in large area throughout Europe and the hardiest sources come from the eastern Europe's mountain ranges, where the species is known to tolerate temperatures down to -40F in places. Most of the purple leaved or copper beeches tend to be hardy to zone 4, but there's more variance in the green leaved specimens. The big box stores mainly grow their stock from the south where the winter hardiness is not an issue.

Thanks for answer. So purple are worth trying

One potential problem with these grafted plants at the edge of the hardiness range is ensuring they are propagated onto a hardy rootstock.

"It is possible to grow Fagus Sylvatica in zone 4, but you need to be careful selecting the trees from a suitable origin."

Sorry for entering so late, but I've been interested in this tree since seeing some amazing specimens out east. I think we (Midwest z4) have more trouble with the native Fagus than the European species. Any suggestions for locating F. s. from a suitable origin?

Interesting. I have the native American Beech seedling coming by mail this year so I will find out. It comes from a zone 4 area so I have high hopes for it. Quebec, Canada origin. Probably the farthest north source possible.

As for F.S try http://www.baileynurseries.com/  or ask your local nursery to find a source from a close wholesaler that they deal with from the midwest.

Zone 4 is only the temperature hardiness rating for central Minnesota. The other factor is moisture. In part we are too dry, too far west, for many plants and trees zone 4 hardy farther east where they get more moisture.

My survivor is planted in poor sandy rocky soil and has done fine

slow growing