Fall Color - Brilliant Trees

 Radiant Red Maples

after a rain.

 

Brilliant Red Maples

are one of the

most celebrated

fall foliage trees.

 

 

Some of the best Red Maple cultivars for fall foliage are:
Acer rubrum
'Franksred' Red Sunset
and
Acer rubrum 'October Glory'

 

 

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
has pretty fall foliage
with the added interest of
peeling cinnamon colored bark.

  

 While red maples get all the attention,

the golden leaves of our old Black Maple were

like a bright ball of sunshine this fall.

 Ash (Fraxinus) have pretty yellow fall foliage. 

The bad news is that the emerald Ash Borer is devastating the Ash population.

 Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), desirable for its spring flowers,

also has wonderful fall color.

 

 

 

 

Bradford Pear has long been a favorite, but is susceptible to storm damage.

Chanticleer Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer') is a stronger cultivar.

 

 

  

  

Sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua) is another fall favorite.

Choose the cultivar 'Rotundiloba' to avoid those pesky gum balls.

 

 

 

 

Even a weeping cherry gets in on the act.

 

  

 

 

Maidenhair Tree (Ginko biloba) turns a 

stunning yellow in the fall.

While its habit can be quite variable,

leaves outlining its branches lend a sculptural look.

Generally, only male cultivars are sold in the trade since the

fruit of female trees in undesirable.

 

Last, but not least, the beloved Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
puts on its autumn show. 

 

  This Threadleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum)
shimmers in autumn light.


For other fall performers see
Fall Shrub Color and Fall Fruit.

To see even more fall color, see
The Fall Color Project 
at The Home Garden.