Top 10 Companion Trees to Plant with Beech Trees in the UK
- Kerri Cuthbert
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Table of Contents
Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) are majestic, shade-casting trees that add stature, seasonal drama, and rich wildlife value to UK landscapes. Whether grown as specimen trees or part of a woodland setting, their coppery autumn colour and smooth grey bark make them enduring favourites among UK gardeners and designers. At Bowhayes Trees, we’ve seen how beech trees thrive when paired with the right companions—trees that complement their form, fill seasonal gaps, and create ecological harmony.
This guide explores the top 10 companion trees to plant with beech, offering a mix of natives and ornamentals suited to a variety of UK garden settings.
Why Plant Companion Trees with Beech?
With their dense canopies and extensive roots, beech trees often dominate their surroundings—but clever planting can enhance the space rather than crowd it.
Benefits of companion planting with beech:
Visual contrast – Lighter foliage, bark texture, or flower colour adds balance
Extended interest – Choose species with spring blossom or winter structure
Support for biodiversity – Fill gaps in food, shelter, and nectar across seasons
Layered design – Underplant shade-tolerant trees or frame beech with upright forms
Companion trees should tolerate partial shade and share similar preferences for well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
For more on how thoughtful companion planting can support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, see the Wildlife Trusts' guide to companion planting.
What are the Top 10 Companion Trees to Plant with Beech
Tree Name | Botanical Name | Benefits | Best Use |
Sorbus aucuparia | Blossom, berries, and wildlife value | Woodland edge, naturalistic | |
Carpinus betulus | Structure, foliage, seasonal screening | Hedges, structure behind the beech | |
Malus sylvestris / hybrids | Spring flowers, fruit, and pollinator value | Orchard-style or wildlife garden | |
Amelanchier lamarckii | Blossom, berries, compact size | Small gardens or layered borders | |
Cornus alba / C. kousa | Winter stems, flowers, and bird-friendly fruit | Winter interest, lower storey | |
Acer campestre | UK native, autumn colour, and resilience | Windbreak or native hedge | |
Crataegus monogyna | Blossom, berries, and dense form | Wildlife planting, boundaries | |
Betula pendula | Light canopy, movement, and bark contrast | Vertical interest in groups | |
Euonymus europaeus | Bright pink autumn fruit, and vivid foliage | Seasonal colour in wildlife-friendly planting | |
Magnolia stellata | Spring star-shaped flowers | Feature planting near young beech |
A resilient UK native, Rowan offers delicate white blossom in spring, fiery berries in summer and autumn, and rich foliage colour late in the season.
Why it works: Rowan's upright habit and light canopy complement beech’s bolder form. Its wildlife value adds essential food sources, where beech’s dense shade may limit undergrowth.
Bowhayes tip: Use Rowan to bring height, seasonal sparkle, and biodiversity to the edges of beech groupings.
Hornbeam matches beech’s resilience and stature, but its pleated leaves and ability to hold foliage through winter create year-round structure.
Why it works: Ideal for screening or shaping spaces within larger schemes. Its leaf texture and yellow-gold autumn colour soften the beech’s copper hues.
Bowhayes tip: Hornbeam hedges can frame a mature beech tree while staying neat and wildlife-friendly.
Crabapples offer spring blossom, pollinator appeal, and small fruits that benefit birds into winter.
Why it works: Their manageable size makes them ideal foreground trees or understorey layers near taller beech.
Bowhayes tip: Plant crabapples to extend seasonal interest and attract bees, hoverflies and blackbirds.
Also known as Snowy Mespilus, this small tree is a multi-season star with spring blossom, edible berries and vivid autumn leaves.
Why it works: Its soft form suits compact gardens or areas beneath younger beech trees, where light still reaches the lower canopy.
Bowhayes tip: Combine with beech in wildlife-friendly designs where size variation is key.
Known for winter colour and wildlife value, Dogwoods shine beneath taller trees or at the edge of woodland zones.
Why it works: Dogwood’s coloured stems or layered bracts stand out against beech’s clean bark and copper canopy.
Bowhayes tip: Use red- or orange-stemmed Dogwood to liven up winter views near beech trunks.
Britain’s only native maple, this rugged tree offers long-lasting golden foliage and tolerates pruning or exposed sites.
Why it works: It’s a natural pairing in native schemes and suits dry soils or windy plots that challenge other species.
Bowhayes tip: Use Field Maple in mixed native hedges that support and soften mature beech lines.
The Woodland Trust offers guidance on the best hedge plants for wildlife-friendly gardens and native schemes.
Beloved by wildlife, Hawthorn provides May blossom and autumn haws, along with a year-round thicket structure.
Why it works: Dense and shade-tolerant, it slots easily into traditional or ecological designs alongside beech.
Bowhayes tip: Try hawthorn as a wildlife hedge or underplanting for large mature beech specimens.
Airy, graceful, and quick to establish, birch brings movement and lightness that lifts heavier beech planting.
Why it works: Its fine foliage and peeling bark contrast beautifully with the beech’s bold silhouette and smooth surface.
Bowhayes tip: Plant birch in clumps to create woodland-style texture around dominant beech trunks.
A native tree with vibrant pink-and-orange fruits and fiery red autumn foliage, Spindle adds colour and wildlife value to any planting.
Why it works: Spindle thrives in similar soil to beech and brings compact, colourful structure beneath or near larger trees.
Bowhayes tip: Use Spindle as an understorey interest to brighten shaded areas or woodland margins.
This star magnolia produces frothy white flowers on bare stems, adding elegance and seasonal surprise.
Why it works: Small enough for shaded sites and bold enough to hold its own alongside beech, especially in spring.
Bowhayes tip: Pair with young beech or open glades where its bloom can shine.
How to Design Around Beech Trees
Allow space – Beech roots are shallow and wide-spreading; plant companions 3–5m away
Layer height and texture – Use upright, fine-foliage trees beneath or beside the beech
Underplant wisely – Try ferns, hellebores, or wild garlic where dense shade persists
Blend native with ornamental – Combine UK natives like Field Maple and Hawthorn with seasonal stars like Magnolia
For more guidance on planting and caring for beech trees, see the RHS guide to beech trees.
Which Companion Trees Will Help Your Beech Garden Thrive?
Beech trees are elegant, long-lived and striking in every season—but they shine even brighter when thoughtfully paired with complementary trees. Whether you're aiming for wildlife support, contrasting form, or extended seasonal display, trees like Hornbeam, Amelanchier, and Rowan help create a layered, balanced, and biodiverse planting scheme.
At Bowhayes Trees, we believe in planting with purpose. Our expertly grown selection of UK-suited trees is curated to support gardens of every scale, and our knowledgeable team is here to help you select the right companions for your beech tree.
Explore trees that complement beech and order online with confidence:
FAQs
What is the best tree to plant next to a beech?
Rowan, Amelanchier, and Crab Apple are top choices for their structure, seasonal interest, and compatible growing needs.
When should I plant beech trees and their companions?
The best time to plant is during the dormant season—late autumn to early spring—when soil conditions support root establishment.
Is it worth planting beech trees in smaller gardens?
Yes, dwarf or columnar beech varieties like Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’ offer upright form and year-round interest without overwhelming small spaces.
What are the best flowering trees to pair with beech?
Amelanchier, Flowering Cherry, and Crab Apple are excellent for spring blossom and compact growth beneath taller beech.
How do I create contrast around beech trees?
Use companions with fine foliage, bold seasonal colour, or structural bark—like Dogwood or Japanese Maple—to highlight beech’s smooth form.
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