| General Description | Medium size deciduous tree with low canopy. Insignificant buds and flowers, but eye-catching green, pink and cream variegated foliage in the spring and summer. Admirable copper coloured leaves in the autumn and stunning grey bark in the winter. |
| ID Characteristic | Easily recognized by its colourful obovate and alternating, green, pink and cream variegated foliage and its low, full canopy. |
| Shape | Oval and upright-pyramidal in form. |
| Landscape | Ideal for a focal point, landscape or specimen tree and offers great colour no matter the season, even in the winter the bark is a beautiful colour. Grown strictly for its foliage and to a lesser degree the smooth grey bark, as its flower and fruit are both small and insignificant. The tree performs best in partial sun as this prevents its pale variegated foliage from scorching and turning brown. |
| Propagation | Scions of 'Tricolor' should be grafted onto F. sylvatica rootstock. |
| Cultivation | The tree should be planted in partial shade as full sun often burns or scorches the foliage. It requires adequate moisture, but will not endure standing water and prefers rich well drained soils but is not partial to a specific pH; it will sustain mild urban pollution. |
| Pests | Canker, powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers and aphids may be of concern however in my experience aphids are the most common pest but are such a minor concern that they do not warrant control. |
| Notable Specimens | The A. M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Smooth grey/silver bark that is somewhat showy in winter. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | 2-2.5 cm long, slender brown buds that are imbricate and sharply pointed. |
| Leaf Description | Alternating, 5-8 cm, obovate shiny green leaves with white and pink edges during the spring and summer. These turn a beautiful copper colour in the autumn and may be retained until very early winter. |
| Flower Description | Small and insignificant, blooms that are yellow/green in colour. |
| Fruit Description | Brown triangular nuts. |
| Colour Description | Green leaves with pink and white edges, turning into a golden copper colour in the autumn. The buds are brown while the bark is smooth and grey. |
| Texture Description | Medium. |
