Ask any fall fanatic like Ree Drummond, and they'll tell you that the number of reasons to love autumn surpass the days within the season itself! To start, there are so many classic autumnal activities, like going apple picking, visiting pumpkin patches, and then carving those pumpkins into festive jack-o'-lanterns. And that's not to mention all the fall desserts and cozy fall soups that taste all the better when there's a chill in the air and fiery fall foliage peaking through the kitchen window.
Speaking of fall foliage, there are so many terrific trees that transform with dazzling fall colors. And you can thank good ole Mother Nature for that! In the spring and summer, leaves contain chlorophyll, which causes them to appear green. But as the nights get longer in autumn, chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops, leading to the breakdown of existing chlorophyll. This allows pigments called carotenoids and anthocyanins to become visible in the leaves, revealing their vibrant fall colors, like bright red, golden yellow, bronze, scarlet, and even purple.
You don't even have to travel far to experience this natural phenomenon! In fact, you can plant the best trees for fall color right in your front yard. But where to start? If the only trees that come to mind are maple and oak, don't worry because you'll find many more vibrant trees that'll infuse your outdoor space with fall color right here!
Find more ways to add fall color to your yard:
Japanese Maple
With their finely lobed leaves and colorful hues, Japanese Maple trees are well-loved as a source of fall color! The Japanese Maple typically ranges from 10 to 15 feet tall, and as temperatures begin to drop, the leaves of these elegant trees transform into a breathtaking palette of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. This species is often planted in Japanese-style gardens but will add lots of texture and visual interest to any outdoor space!
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Ginkgo Biloba
In the fall, it's easy to point out a ginkgo tree due to its unique, honey-colored, fan-shaped leaves that stand out in a variety of landscapes. Plus, ginkgo leaves tend to retain their color for an extended period, making them a reliable option for autumn displays.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Black Gum
Black gum trees are known and loved for their star-shaped leaves that shift to shades of scarlet, bright red, and even purple in the fall. They yield small, bluish-black fruit in the fall that provides nutrients to many mammals and birds and can grow up to 100 feet tall, although they're usually in the 20 to 30-foot range.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Sugar Maple
Another maple tree that's sure to bring fall color into your life is the sugar maple! With their magnificent height range of 40 to 120 feet and vibrant displays of fall foliage in the Northeastern United States, these trees are an attraction within themselves. To guarantee lots of fall color, opt for 'Fall Fiesta,' a variety known for its vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Sumac
The sumac tree's stunning, fern-like compound leaves are a surefire way to add interest and texture to any landscape. In the fall, sumac's green and yellow foliage turns red, orange, or purple. The most popular varieties to grow are the smooth sumac and staghorn sumac, which grow to be around 10 to 15 feet tall.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
American Sweetgum
While dazzling fall foliage isn't always promised, when the leaves of American sweetgum do change, it's an absolute feast for the eyes! In the fall, they transform into a dazzling mix of red, orange, yellow, and even purple, which last for weeks. Plus, sweetgums are pretty adaptable, thriving in various soil types, making them a great choice for different landscapes.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Beech
If you're looking for a way to prolong those fleeting bursts of fall color, consider planting a beech tree! These tall trees (ranging from 20 to 80 feet) change from green to golden-bronze later in the season and retain their leaves for longer, making them the perfect addition to any garden.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Dogwood
Dogwood trees might get all the credit for the delicate flowers that bloom on their branches in the spring, but they're also a great source of autumn color! This underrated gem boasts leaves in shades ranging from orange to reddish-purple in the fall and grows around 25 feet tall.
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry
Although this one is technically a large shrub, it's still a worthy option if you're looking for a way to infuse fall color into your yard. As the seasons shift from summer to fall, the purple-leaf sand cherry's reddish-purple foliage turns to a pleasant greenish-bronze.
USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun
White Oak
This grand, deciduous tree makes the marvelous transition from dark green to reddish-brown, which contrasts beautifully with its ash-gray bark, in the fall. White oak trees are usually among the first oaks to have their lobed, oblong leaves change color during the season.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
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