Autumn, also known as “leaf season,” is nature’s yearly color festival. The intensity and peak times of fall colors vary depending on environmental factors and the genetic makeup of the trees. Here, we present eight trees that not only flaunt brilliant fall colors but also offer spring beauty, shade, privacy, and wildlife habitats.
Black Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica
The black tupelo is hailed as one of the best native trees for fall color by tree expert Michael Dirr. Its foliage displays various hues of yellow, orange, bright red, and purple, often on the same branch. The distinctive bark adds visual interest to this magnificent tree. Moreover, it serves as an important late-spring food source for bees.
Hardiness zones: 4-9.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
The ginkgo is undoubtedly one of the most distinct and beautiful deciduous trees. Its unique fan-shaped leaves turn a stunning yellow color in the fall. This tree can tolerate urban conditions, including heat, air pollution, salt, and confined spaces. Interestingly, the ginkgo is a living fossil, with leaf fossils dating back 270 million years.
Hardiness zones: 3-8.
Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
The Shumard oak is a stately and long-lived tree with beautiful fall colors. It thrives in urban areas with poor drainage, compacted soil, air pollution, and drought. This tree is not only favored by homeowners but also by deer and squirrels, who love its small acorns.
Hardiness zones: 5-9.
Red Rocket Crapemyrtle
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit IV’
The Red Rocket crapemyrtle is renowned for its showy flowers, beautiful bark, fast growth, and soil tolerance. Its wrinkled petals resemble crepe paper, adding to its charm. This crapemyrtle is perfect as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. It can grow as much as 5 feet per year.
Hardiness zones: 7-9.
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
The Kentucky coffeetree is drought-resistant, pollution-tolerant, and adaptable to various soils. Its tough nature makes it an excellent choice for large areas such as parks and golf courses. This tree’s picturesque profile stands out throughout the seasons, thanks to its unique growth habit. No two Kentucky coffeetrees are exactly alike!
Hardiness zones: 3-8.
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
The sugar maple is beloved throughout America. More states have claimed it as their state tree than any other species. Its delicious syrup and value as lumber make it commercially planted. This maple tree also adds beauty to yards and parks with its vibrant fall colors of yellow, burnt orange, and red.
Hardiness zones: 3-8.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
The red maple is aptly named for its red features throughout the seasons. This tree’s buds are red in winter, flowers appear in spring, leafstalks are red in summer, and foliage turns brilliant in autumn. Its relatively fast growth and tolerance to various soils make it a popular choice among homeowners and urban foresters.
Hardiness zones: 3-9.
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboretum
The sourwood is a medium-sized tree that shines during the summer and fall. Its midsummer flowers resemble lilies-of-the-valley and emit a delightful fragrance. In the fall, the leaves turn intense shades of crimson, purplish-red, and sometimes yellow. This beautiful tree enhances landscaping as a specimen, an ornamental addition to larger trees, or a clump in a spacious area. Additionally, its flowers produce honey considered by many to be the best.
Hardiness zones: 5-9.
These eight trees are nature’s masterpiece, showcasing stunning fall colors and providing numerous benefits. Choose one or more of these trees to add beauty and charm to your surroundings while also contributing to the environment. Happy planting!