Effects of coloured foliage on visual aesthetic quality

Though color is a major component that increases the aesthetic value of the environment, the studies on the effect of coloured foliage on aesthetic preference are rare. To increase the understanding on the effect of constant coloured foliage trees (CCFT) on aesthetic preference, 90 images were created by adding three types of CCFT across two grades of amount to 15 original photographs which were taken in summer and dominated by green vegetation. The aesthetic quality of these images was evaluated quantitatively through online surveys. Results showed that adding a high amount of red foliage trees and high or low yellow foliage trees decreased the aesthetic values of original photographs significantly, while adding a low amount of red foliage trees and the mixture of red and yellow trees (whether low or high amount) did not have an influence on aesthetic preference ratings. These results, generally, do not encourage the planting coloured foliage trees in urban green space. However, in order to enrich the colours of the landscape in summer, a low amount of red foliage trees or a mixture of red and yellow foliage trees can be introduced to urban green space.