European beeches do well as far north as the Canadian border in the East and West, and up to North Dakota in the central part of the country (zone 4). They can withstand winter temperatures as low as -15° F, but do not do well in extremely hot climates.
Beech trees will grow in full sun to light shade. Quite adaptable, they are not fussy about soil types and even have no problem with alkaline soils (pH 6.5 to 7.5). Of course, they prefer soil that is rich, moist, slightly acid and well drained.
Bare rooted beech trees do not transplant well, so select container grown or balled-and-burlapped specimens from the nursery. Having some soil from their previous growing location with them is important to beeches. Choose trees that are from 3 to 8 feet tall, ideally about 5 feet.
Beech trees are most successfully transplanted in the spring, although it can be done in the fall.
