Choosing Trees for Fall Color

By Edye Clark, Loudoun County Master Gardener, September 2010

My favorite time of year in Virginia is without a doubt autumn. Spring is a delight, with flowering trees and shrubs, beguiling bulbs poking through the hard clay soil, and days of bright blue skies before the summer humidity muddies the air (my least favorite time of year). But after residing most of my life in the Southwest where a majority of the fall colors are varying hues of yellow, the multicolored leaves of this region take my breath away.

The intensity of autumn leaves can vary from year to year, some years being more spectacular than others. Several factors affect fall leaf color including cool evening temperatures, shortening day length, moisture, site location, and pigments in the leaf cells. Bright sunny days followed by extended periods of nighttime temperatures below 45o but above freezing makes for the showiest spectrum of color. www.arborday.org/shopping/trees/whyleaveschange

As many of us know, autumn is the prime time for planting trees and shrubs, giving the roots time to establish before winter arrives. If showy fall leaves are a priority when choosing a tree, there are many native and non-invasive exotics that can fill the bill here in Loudoun County (USDA Zones 6a-7b, depending on location).

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

A great, reliable tree that makes a big statement in fall, sugar maple offers gorgeous red, orange, and/or yellow end-of-the- season leaves.

Growing conditions: sun to shade; moist, well-drained soil (MWDS) Size: 60 to 75' tall at maturity; spread 2/3's the height Zones: 4 – 8 Native to North America: yes

Black Gum/Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

Known for its incredible fall foliage, the Black Tupelo can contain many shades on the same branch. Frequent colors seen on the leaves of this autumn beauty include yellow, orange, bright red, purple, and scarlet. Bird friendly.

Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; prefers slightly acid soil and MWDS, but will tolerate dry or wet sites Size: 30 to 50' tall at maturity; spread of 20 to 30' Zones: 4 - 9

Native to North America: yes

Gingko (Gingko biloba)

Slow-growing ginkgo adds grace to the landscape. Its fan- shaped leaves are among the most elegant of any tree. In autumn, they show breathtaking shades of luminous golden yellow. And when leaf-drop occurs, often it is the entire tree—overnight!

Growing conditions: prefers full sun and sandy soil; MWDS Size: 50 – 80' tall at maturity; spread greatly variable Zones: 4 – 9 Native to North America: no

Sourwood/Lily-of-the-Valley-Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum)

The sourwood is a great year-round tree with it's white fragrant flowers in early summer. But it's fall leaves are what gets it on this list. Each autumn the rich green leavesturn to yellow, red, or even purple.

Growing conditions: full sun to part shade (better color in full sun); prefers MWDS, but will tolerate dry soil Size: 20 – 30' in height at maturity; equal spread Zones: 5 – 9

Native to North America: yes

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)*

Dogwoods are a true four-season tree, providing beautiful blooms in the spring, glossy deep green leaves throughout the summer, wonderful fall color, and red berries for early winter.

Growing conditions: prefer partly shady locales; MWDS Size: 20 – 40' in height at maturity; equal/greater spread Zones: 5 – 8 Native to North America: yes

*The Stellar® Series Dogwoods (a cross between C. florida and C. kousa) might be considered to avoid anthracnose.

Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)

Again, this tree is beautiful throughout the year, having late- summer white camellia-like flowers. In fall, the leaves turn festive shades of orange, yellow, and red.

Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; slightly acid MWDS Size: 20 – 40' in height at maturity; slightly less spread Zones: (4)5 – 7 Native to North America: no

There are many more colorful fall trees, including a number of the Maples, such as Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) and Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum); many in the Cherry family (Prunus ssp.), our native Redbud (Cercis canadensis), most of the Birches (Betula ssp.), and numerous Viburnum (Viburnum ssp.). A good resource list can be found at:

www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/treelists/fallcolor.html