While spring grabs all the headlines with its abundance of flowers, there are few things as beautiful as the transformation of leaves into shades of gold, orange, and red. This color change is so dramatic it is even visible from space!
As autumn approaches, many gardeners seek out trees that offer brilliant fall color. While some trees are well-known for their vibrant foliage, there are also lesser-known options that can transform your landscape into a palette of gold, orange, red, and purple. Below are some beautiful trees to consider for your landscape, each offering unique benefits in addition to their spectacular autumn hues.
American Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)This native tree is a true gem, reaching 30 to 50 feet in height with a rounded crown. The pinnately compound leaves start out green in summer and turn a golden yellow in the fall. It’s adaptable to a variety of soil pH levels and boasts fragrant white flowers in mid-spring, adding multi-season interest to your landscape.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)With its fan-shaped leaves, the Ginkgo is a distinctive tree that reaches 50 to 80 feet tall. Known for its resilience, it tolerates heat, salt, and pollution, making it ideal for urban settings. The leaves turn from green to gold in fall, and the tree’s unusual leaf drop in a single day makes autumn clean-up a breeze.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)Perfect for larger spaces, the Tulip Tree can reach up to 90 feet tall, and occasionally even 150 feet. With its broad, distinctive leaves that change to yellow and gold in the fall, this tree is an excellent choice for both woodlands and landscaped areas.
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava)With its bright yellow spring flowers and striking orange fall color, the Yellow Buckeye is a standout. This tree reaches 75 feet or more and is best suited for large spaces with moist, slightly acidic soil. Its large, palmately compound leaves turn vibrant shades of gold and orange in the fall.
Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata)Ideal for city environments, the Japanese Zelkova is a tough, medium to large tree (60 to 80 feet) with a vase-shaped crown. It tolerates drought, pollution, and other urban stresses. Its leaves change from green to shades of bronze and burnt orange in the fall, adding a touch of color to the urban landscape.
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)Renowned for its brilliant red fall color, the Black Gum is a small to medium-sized tree (30 to 50 feet). Its glossy, dark green leaves turn scarlet in the fall, making it a striking addition to any landscape. It prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soils and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)This large tree (60 to 80 feet) is known for its classic oak-shaped leaves, which turn to vibrant shades of scarlet and red in the late autumn. Scarlet Oak prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soils and can tolerate dry conditions, making it a versatile addition to many landscapes.
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)A large tree reaching 60 to 75 feet, the American Sweetgum is known for its star-shaped leaves that turn brilliant colors in the fall. The tree’s coarse root system requires ample space, and the serrated leaves change from dark green to shades of yellow, red, and purple in autumn. However, be mindful of the 1 to 1.5-inch spiky fruit, which can present a maintenance challenge.
Choosing the Right Tree for Your LandscapeWhen selecting a tree for your landscape, factors such as soil requirements, mature size, and maintenance needs are crucial. But don’t forget to consider fall color as an essential component in your design. Many of the trees listed here offer stunning autumn foliage that can enhance the beauty of your garden or yard for years to come.
While some of these trees—such as the Ginkgo and Japanese Zelkova—are non-native, there is currently no evidence that they pose a risk of becoming invasive.
Adding any of these trees to your landscape will provide not only beautiful fall color but also multi-season interest, making them a valuable addition to your outdoor space.
If you would like to learn more about the trees featured in this article, visit Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder or NCSU Plants
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