Autumn Trees

The Best of Fall Colors

Why do trees turn color in fall?

     In NJ and PA, trees turn wonderful colors. They turn colors for several reasons. 1. In very early fall, if not very late summer, trees are beginning their journey to winter dormancy and step one is stopping water and nutrients from travelling up the tree to the branches and leaves, rather keeping everything root level to survive winter. This essentially “seals” off the leaf stems. 2. The sealed off leaves now have a concentrated solution of water and sugar sitting in each leaf which cannot exit the leaf. 3. When temps start to get lower and lower, that concentration of water and sugar causes the leaves to show off with all different colorful pigments of reds, yellows, purples and russets…beautiful.

What are some of the best trees for wonderful fall color?

     Maple: The quintessential fall tree. Red Maples turn red, of course, but there is at least one variety that turns yellow. Norway Maples turn a deep yellow, and fairly late. They then lose their leaves almost all at once. Sugar Maples are the absolute best fall-colored trees of all; the absolute King of Fall. They are some of the first trees to turn colors of yellow, red etc. Silver Maples on the other hand, have horrible color. They look like a mottled brown mess.

     Oak: Many don’t think of oak trees having good fall colors, but if the conditions are good, with decent moisture and temps, the russet-colored leaves are wonderful, and they last a long time into late fall. The red-russet leaves stand out in a landscape more than one would think.

     Flowering Dogwood: Dogwoods begin to turn reddish in August believe it or not, and that color just gets stronger and deeper as fall progresses. Plus, dogwoods, both flowering and Japanese, offer fruit for all and winter for the birds.

     Crape Myrtle: Yes indeed, these trees will turn a bright red color in fall. The leaves are small and almost inconspicuous, but they really add to the landscape, and not just for summer flowers. Even the seed heads are great for interest and especially for the birds.

     Dawn Redwood: Yes, many think it’s an evergreen and it does appear that way all spring and summer, but in reality, it’s a deciduous tree, losing it’s needles in fall. Those needles, prior to falling, turn an amazing gold and red mix…amazing.

So that’s some trees, but what about shrubs?

     Yes, there are some shrubs that turn beautiful shades in fall. Euonymus, Burning Bush, turns a bright fire red, hence the “burning” name. Crape Myrtle shrubs, just like the trees, turn a beautiful red as well. Small-leaf Rhododendrons, PJM specifically, will lose a third of it’s leaves since it’s an evergreen, and turn a deep red. The remaining leaves turn purple in winter. Oak Leaf Hydrangea is a wonderful shrub all year and when fall comes, it too turns a russet red color.

This is just a quick overview of the trees and shrubs of fall. There are, of course, many more, so get out there and take pictures and be in awe of the beauty nature gives us every fall. Never take any of it for granted.

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