Every autumn as the days get shorter trees across the country produce spectacular displays of fall leaf colors.
Searching and finding the best fall trees is often a destination trip for many across the country.
Here are some of the best fall trees across the United States that you can see almost anywhere.
Baldcypress Not on most people's top 10 list but the unique combination of being a deciduous conifer creates a majestic orange red color. This tree can be
found throughout most of the United States (zones 4 to 10) with the exception being the northern zone 3. Plant a Baldcypress in your yard »
Sugar Maple The landscape standout can be seen in all but the warmest places in the United States (zones 3 to 8
). The leaves of the sugar maple can form a complete color wheel throughout the year, turning several shades of green, then from yellow to orange, and
finally to red in the fall. The diversity of this tree makes it impressive all year round but especially in the fall. Order a Sugar Maple for your yard »
Red Maple This classic fall tree can either be deep red or yellow. Throughout the year at least a part of this tree is red, making it one of the best
named trees. This tree is common throughout most of the United States (zones 3 to 9) and can grow up to 60 feet. Order a Red Maple for your yard »
Black Tupelo Known for its spectacular 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. Look for this bird friendly tree throughout most of the United States
(zones 4 to 9) with the extreme North and South being the exception. Order this unique autumn tree »
Aspen Thousands of people make the journey to watch the Aspen turn throughout the Rocky Mountains. The spectacular yellow leaves of the Aspen create
a brilliant contrast with surrounding pine trees, making this a fan favorite. Residents living in the South will have to make the journey to see
the Aspen change because this tree is typically in zones 1 to 7. Add an Aspen to your yard today »
Sourwood The Sourwood is a great year round tree with its white fragrant flowers in early summer. But it is fall leaves that get it on this list.
Each autumn the rich green leaves of the Sourwood turn to yellow, red or even purple. Unlike the Aspen, this fall tree prefers the southern states
growing in zones 5-9. Add color to your landscape with this fall tree »
Sassafras The brilliant display of fall foliage makes the Sassafras a must have on this list. The native North American tree
(zones 4 to 9) changes from bright to medium green in summer to enchanting colors of deep orange, scarlet,
purple and yellow in the fall. Plant a Sassafras at your home »
Sweetgum Deep, glossy green, star-shaped leaves mark the Sweetgum in the spring and summer. As the days shorten the leaves turn yellow-purple-red.
The leaves of the Sweetgum stay on the tree quite late throughout its range (zones 5-9). Enjoy this fall tree in your yard »
Japanese Maple Although it is grown in a more limited range (zone 5 to 8) this short tree or shrub is a
great fall choice. The versatile species often has brilliant color throughout the year but as winter approaches, the trees' reddish-purple leaves create
dramatic fall views. Add a this landscaping tree to your yard today »
Why Leaves Change Color?
Scientists don’t yet fully understand all of the complicated actions and interactions that produce the
spectacular displays of autumn leaf colors that are a highlight of the fall months. Although not fully
understood, several factors affect when and how leaves change color and the hues they produce.
These factors include:
Shortening of day length
Cooling temperatures
organic pigments in the leaf cells
sunlight intensity
moisture
tree genetic traits
site characteristics
latitude
altitude
Why are fall trees more intense some years?
Cool Night Temperatures: An extended period of cool night time temperatures below 45 degrees but above freezing helps to develop more anthocyanins in
the leaves bringing out more intense fall colors in trees.
Sunny Days: Bright sun filled days allow the leaves to trap the sugars from the dwindling chlorophyll creating fantastic fall color.
Calm Days: Stormy and windy days help to release the leaves on the trees. An extended period of calm days help to enhance the viewing time of fall foliage.
Here is a video from our friends at Davy Tree explaining why leaves change color.
What Produces the Different Colors in Tree Leaves?
Green Pigments = Chlorophyll
During the spring and summer, the green chlorophyll pigments dominate and mask out other pigments in the leaf.
Yellow Pigments = Carotenoids
Carotenoids are pigments that have been present in the leaf cells all the time during the leaf’s life. They provide the yellow that leaves
exhibit when the chlorophylls are not present.
Red or Purple Pigments = Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are pigments that form in the cell sap of some species in late summer and fall. The combination of dwindling chlorophylls a
nd resulting sugar breakdown, along with bright sunlight, cool temperatures, and transfer of phosphorus from the leaf to the stems, produces the
red and purple anthocyanin pigments seen in maples and other species.
Brown Pigments = Tannins
Tannins cause the brown hues often seen in trees like oaks. Tannins actually act as a defense system for plants against pathogens,
herbivores and poor environmental conditions.
Orange = Carotenoids and Anthocyanins
It is the combination of the two pigments that bring out orange colors in trees.
Best places to see fall trees?
The beauty of fall trees can be viewed across the United States in parks, urban areas, the countryside, and mountains. The key is finding an area that
is full of deciduous trees before they drop their leaves.
A few famous places for tree viewing include
The Northeast in the New England area which is famous for its diverse array of colors.
The Rocky Mountains are known for its contrasting color of Aspen trees next to dark green conifers.
America’s Scenic Byways are a great way to view fall trees. Explore Autumn Trees at a scenic byway near you.
The National Forests which have areas in many states and in all regions across the United States. View Fall Color Hotspots near your hometown.
