Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea' (syn. Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'), height, shape and size similar to the Fagus sylvatica. Buds shiny auburn to crimson, later just auburn to an often more brownish-green in the shaded heart of the crown. As a rule, it grows true from seed, but variations to the depth of the auburn colour do occur. However, in groups of purple beech this gives an attractive colour variation.