Woody > Fagus > Fagus sylvatica > Fagus sylvatica 'Tricolor'
Fagus sylvatica
'Tricolor'
Tricolor Beech
Origin: Europe, 1880's.‘Tricolor’ stated origin was in France around 1873. The original appearance of the plant was white leaves spotted green with a pink margin. ‘Tricolor’ is a rarity and not circulated widely in commerce any longer.
Mike's
Opinion
"
One of the most admirable cultivars of this species. It is often confused with Fagus sylvatica 'Roseo-Marginata' and Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Tricolor', which have purple and pink variegated foliage while the cultivar 'Tricolor' has green, pink and cream variegated foliage. A radiant medium sized shade tree, no matter the season. Low maintenance and well formed, some specimens have lived to be 120 years old. Easily recognized by its leaves and low growing canopy with some of the lower branches not even clearing a metre off the ground. A truly stunning tree no matter the time of year.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Fagaceae |
| Genus |
| Fagus |
| Species |
| sylvatica |
| Cultivar |
| 'Tricolor' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4-7 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -28 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -20 |
| Height |
| 9 m |
| Spread |
| 3-6 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Shape |
| Oval and upright-pyramidal in form. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Easily recognized by its colourful obovate and alternating, green, pink and cream variegated foliage and its low, full canopy. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The A. M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Scions of 'Tricolor' should be grafted onto F. sylvatica rootstock. |
References
Renwald, Kathy. Beck, Alison. "Beech." Tree & Shrub Gardening for Ontario. Edmonton, Alberta: Lone Pine, 2001. 88. Print.
Missouri Botanical Garden. Web. 5 Jun 2013.
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