In Verzy forest (near Reims, France), seeds were sampled from some tortillard beeches (Fagus sylvaticaL. var.tortuosaPépin) after free pollination. After a dormancy breaking treatment performed in laboratory, seeds were sown in nursery and seedlings were cultivated for 4 years. The purpose of this study is to examine the fertility of tortillard beech and the occurrence of its phenotype during the first years of development. According to our experimental conditions, full and empty seed ratios, germination rate, and seedling annual survival rate were not significantly different from those reported for the European beech in literature. Among 486 tortillard maternal descendants, after 4 years, 25% of the individuals showed a special shape, characterized by reiterations, and could be considered as "tortillards". This phenotype appeared progressively during the second year of seedling development. The number of tortillards increased from one year to the next and their typical shape became more pronounced until they were 4 years old. These results show that the tortillard variety is no less fertile and vigorous than the European beech.Key words:Fagus sylvaticavar.tortuosa, morphology, growth, fertility, strength.