Copper beech are large, upright, spreading, deciduous trees with oval to elliptic, glossy, dark purple leaves turning copper to maroon in autumn and inconspicuous, purple flowers in spring followed by bristly, pale brown fruit. Grows in a wide range of well-drained soils. Leaf colour is best in full sun. Partial shade is tolerated. Hedging should be trimmed back in summer. No other attention is required, bar the removal or damaged or diseased shoots. If one wishes the tree to retain its distinctive dried-out leaves throughout winter it should be trimmed in late summer.