Many people view fall as an opportunity to witness the stunning tree foliage that blazes fiery shades of red, yellow, orange, gold, and green. Although trees are crucial on your property for many reasons, they also provide shape, drama, structure, height, and architectural interest. When you combine the dramatic beauty of colorful autumn foliage and the tree’s structural elements, you can create an incredibly vivid aesthetic perfect for the fall season. Our Johnson City ISA-Certified arborists share on the blog today our top six trees to plant for beautiful autumn foliage so that you can enjoy the colors when you look out the window.
What causes tree leaves to change colors?
Changing leaf colors can seem like magic before your eyes. Throughout the spring and summer, trees produce high levels of chlorophyll that maintain the tree’s green leaf color. However, when deciduous plants slow their metabolism and reduce chlorophyll production, the leave’s color pigments appear. Our Kingsport tree care experts explain that the fall colors can change in intensity when there is a dramatic fluctuation of temperature from a warm day to a cold night.
What tree species produce beautiful autumn foliage?
Multiple tree species can provide a stunning color display in the fall, and it can be difficult to choose the best one for your property. Therefore, our Bristol ISA-Certified arborists share below their six favorite species that produce vivid fall colors.
- American Sweetgum – The American Sweetgum is a selection that has star-shaped leaves with dazzling hues of orange, yellow, purple, and red. Large and mature Sweetgum trees can grow a canopy over 100 feet tall.
- Japanese Stewartia – The Japanese Stewartia can be a year-round eye-pleaser. With Camellia-like flowers that bloom in the summer and fire-engine red leaves in the fall, you’re sure to enjoy this specimen throughout the seasons.
- Summer Red Maple – The Summer Red Maple is a colorful addition as it grows burgundy-red leaves in the spring and summer and puts on a fall display of orange-yellow-purple tinted leaves. This species is perfect for smaller yards and landscapes as it has a shorter mature height.
- Green Mountain Sugar Maple – The Green Mountain Sugar Maple can set your landscape ablaze in the fall with its change from deep green to fiery, hot orange-red leaves. This tree is a stand-alone show-stopper by its color, but it also provides the perfect canopy for shade while reading.
- Kashmir Rowan – The Kashmir Rowan is an autumn beauty that produces colorful berries that outlast the fall foliage colors. This small tree is an excellent addition to landscape designs.
- Crab Apple – The Crab Apple is a selection that can please during the spring with pink and white flowers and stun with fall colors like bronze, gold, orange, red, and purple. The fruit produced ripens between late summer and mid-fall. Most Crab Apple trees can grow 15 to 20 feet tall and wide, but there are semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties available.
ISA-Certified Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Colorful fall foliage can provide a dramatic impact on your landscape design. However, finding the best tree suited for your property can be challenging. Therefore, our Tri-Cities ISA-certified arborists at Promier Tree encourage property owners to research the trees they want to plant before digging. If you have questions about planting trees or would like assistance in choosing the best fall foliage trees, please contact Promier Tree at (423) 872-2988 or contact us online to speak with a tree care specialist today.