So I'm kinda looking for a European beech cultivar that doesn't grow too tall and wide (any tips regarding that are welcome **) for my garden. Thing is beech don't like high ground water levels, but what is high? We've recently had ours (roughly) measured and it was 4ft (1.2m) below the surface. Is beech a no-go tree?

** Cockleshell, Rotundifolia, but I also (to my own surprise!) like Roseomarginata/(Purpurea) Tricolor

You can crap shoot but from experience with trees that do not like high water level, do not waste your money or time.

So you're saying it IS too high?

I've contacted a very reputable tree nursery in the Netherlands and they say it shouldn't be a problem at all.

Arico said:So you're saying it IS too high?
I've contacted a very reputable tree nursery in the Netherlands and they say it shouldn't be a problem at all.

Too high, I have pulled too many new, less than 3 years old, DEAD trees to find standing water fill the hole when it is pulled.
This was NOT in heavy clay soil either.