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Fall Foliage Trees

Pictures and descriptions of fall foliage trees for planting on your landscape for color. Plant these fall foliage trees and your landscape will bask in the glow of their autumn leaves. From the red and orange autumn leaves of maples to the yellow autumn leaves of aspens, don't miss out on the colorful displays you'll get by planting these magnificent fall foliage trees!
Fall Foliage Pictures
Fall foliage pictures can help you decide which trees to plant in your own landscape. See my best fall foliage pictures of maple trees to aid you in selecting the optimal specimens for autumn color.
Quintessential Fall Foliage Trees -- Maples
If I were putting together a dictionary, the entry for "autumn" would have next to it a picture of the maples, adorned in their autumn colors of red, yellow and orange. Among the native fall foliage trees of Eastern North America, it is certainly the maples that bring out the most leaf-peepers, to gaze at their spectacular autumn leaves.
Shagbark Hickories as Fall Foliage Trees
Shagbark hickories are not grown exclusively for their nuts. In fact, I would rank nut production only third among the reasons why homeowners might consider planting shagbark hickories, the foremost reason being their value as fall foliage trees.
Non-Fruiting Sweetgum Trees
Non-fruiting American sweetgum trees (the 'Rotundiloba' cultivar lacks the spikey balls variously referred to as "seed pods" or "gumballs") are the best option for most homeowners. American sweetgum trees that do bear seed pods are too messy for small yards.
Tulip Trees
Tulip trees function in the landscape as fast-growing shade trees with fall-foliage interest. The showy flowers of tulip trees make them something of an anomaly among tall shade trees in temperate regions.
Fall Foliage Trees -- White Ash, American Mountain Ash
Learn about two types of ashes grown for their fall foliage: American mountain ash and white ash. In addition to being fall foliage trees, the American mountain ash exhibits interesting spring flowers and summer berries. While you're exploring ideas for fall foliage trees for your landscape, also discover the unique place of the ash in Viking lore.
Fall FoliageTrees -- Quaking Aspens
Quaking aspens are fall foliage trees whose autumnal display is almost synonymous with autumn in the American West. The proclivity of its leaves to tremble in the breeze is as famous as the golden-yellow of its autumn leaves. Find out where -- and where not -- to grow these romantic fall foliage trees.
Fall Foliage Trees With 4-Season Interest -- Beeches
Learn about 3 types of beeches grown for their value as fall foliage trees -- and more. American beeches and European beeches are autumn standouts that also provide winter interest. Meanwhile, the Tricolor beech has colorful variegated leaves that will be prominent in your landscaping spring, summer and fall.
Autumn Leaves of Birches
Birches provide more than just colorful autumn leaves. Their bark is as interesting as their leaves, with its characteristic shedding pattern. The classic (paper) birch has bark with a white color, but other colors are available (e.g., yellow). Other birches have a weeping form. All of these fine fall foliage trees display yellow autumn leaves.
Dogwoods for Spring Flowers and Colorful Autumn Leaves
When we think of dogwoods, we immediately think, "flowering." And indeed, dogwoods put on an impressive display in spring with their flowering. But dogwoods also bear attractive autumn leaves. Two dogwoods are described here, each offering different autumn colors.
Japanese Maples as Fall Foliage Trees
Compared to most specimens, even the spring and summer leaves of Japanese maples bring to mind the colorful autumn leaves that are still months away. In addition, some cultivars have a weeping habit, while many have an appealing lacy leaf-type. This introduction briefly describes "Bloodgood," "Crimson Queen," "Filigree" and red Japanese maples.
Oaks -- Last Call for Autumn Leaves
Oaks are fall foliage trees whose color is not as spectacular as that of the maples, but nonetheless valued. For oak leaves turn later in the autumn than do those of maples (November in the northeastern U.S.), allowing you to extend this colorful season. Learn about red oaks, white oaks and pin oaks in this article.
Ginkgo Bilobas
Ginkgo bilobas (alternate spelling, "Gingko") are commonly granted the moniker, "living fossil." Ginkgo bilobas are valued for the extract they provide, which has numerous medicinal uses, and they are fine fall foliage trees, as well.
New England Autumn Leaves -- It's Not Poison Sumac
Poison sumac is only one variety of sumac, and it is easily distinguished from the non-poisonous varieties. The latter should be considered as potential landscaping shrubs, since they are easy to grow and bear attractive autumn leaves early in the season. In addition, sumac has been used for culinary purposes, for erosion control, and as a wind break. It also attracts birds.
New England Autumn Leaves Headquarters
Need some ideas for incorporating autumn leaves into your landscape? Why not seek inspiration from the classic source, New England? Plan a trip to New England in September or October with the help of About's Guide to New England for Visitors, Kim Knox Beckius. If you can't make it to New England, Kim also offers opportunities for "leaf peeping" online.
Autumn Leaves in the Landscape
A Virginia Tech Extension feature on October landscaping considerations, including some sound advice on selecting the proper specimens for autumn leaf displays. Considering how long it takes these specimens to mature, this is one area where proper planning is essential! You want to know right now what colors they'll produce, not years down the road, after much expenditure of cash and energy.

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