Antarctic Beech From the mountains and most southerly islands of South America, Nothofagus antarctica is a large, slow-growing, deciduous tree with an upright, broadly pyramidal habit and open crown; it is often found as a multi-stemmed tree. The bark is chocolate-brown with silvery markings. The leaves are small, crinkled and sweetly scented; they are deep green and glossy, turning bright yellow and orange in autumn. In early summer, unobtrusive yellowish-green catkins appear, followed by small, highly scented fruits with tiny nuts inside. Antarctic beech is a lovely tree for those who can give it the right conditions. Site: Tolerates exposureSoil: Moist but well-drained, acidic soilPosition: Full sunSeason of interest: Spring to autumnHardiness: Very hardyHeight: more than 40’ (12m) Spread: 26’ (8m) in 50 years Photos by Wendy Cutler and Clivid, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and BY-ND 2.0.