Does anyone grow them here? PF says hardy to Zone 7.
Purple Beech Tree
Even though the PlantFiles says Hardiness to Zone 7. The European Beech Fagus sylvatica (Purple Beech Tree is a European Beech) Tree's most southerly growing zone is Zone 7. It will probably grow in 8a, but may require more care management. The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) might be better suited to Zone 8a
Quoting:
Fagus sylvatica grows best in full sun but a combination of sunlight also works. Controlled temperature and good rainfall are the factors which need to be considered. Moist, well drained acidic or calcified soil makes the ground best suited. As the plant has shallow and wide root system so an open space should be provided to them. Humidity needs to be constant. Excessively wet soil makes the plant rotten. Prunning of the plant should be done in early summer or early fall. A harmonal subtance is liberated in the early developmental stages by terminal buds so these must be removed from time to time.
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/fallfoliagetrees/a/fall_foliage3.htm
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Beech
lol I used to hike with some people who used to spend a lot of time thinking about beeches. (Not here, back in appalachia.) There may or may not be a mexican beech, as well. Anyways, as best I remember, the relevant point is that there's a good bit of population difference within the american species, so one would best choose an individual to plant from as nearby as possible. Possibly the same would be true of the european beech? A good bit of Texas is zone 7, but I'm having a hard time imagining that just because one survived the summer in NC, it would thrive in Abilene.
Theamerican beech are really great trees, wonderful shade for people and lots of food and shelter for animals.