Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea
Purple European Beech
A relatively inexpensive alternative to more expensive grafted varieties, these beauties offer dark purple leaves in the spring.
 
From: Oregon State University:
Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'
Common name: Purpleleaf European Beech, 
Copperleaf European Beech
Pronunciation: FA-gus sil-VAT-i-ka
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Fagus
Synonyms: ‘Atropurpurea’,‘Cuprea’
Type: Broadleaf
 
Purple leaf clone of Fagus sylvatica.  Upon emergence, leaves are very purple but they become more green during the growing season.  The purple leaf characteristic has been found several times in the wild and there are several purple leaf cultivars.  The leaves of 'Cuprea', Copper Beech, are reportedly somewhat paler than those of the true Purple Beech (Dirr, 1998, p. 371).
Corvallis: Cental Park
 
Public Display:
Oregon State Univ. campus: On Orchard St., north side of Withycombe parking lot.