"- This tree is very slow growing, so keep that in mind when designing your garden.- Perfect for use as a specimen tree, or a shade tree in time.- Grass and other plants will not grow well under the tri color beech due to its fibrous root system. Tri color beech is intolerant of salt in soil or water." http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/commontrees/p/TriColorBeech.htm