10 Maple Trees for Great Fall Color
Landscaping enthusiasts have many options for achieving colorful yards in the fall. Yet no tree in eastern North America is as closely associated with fall foliage as maple trees. In some parts of the country, the brilliant yellows, oranges and reds of fall maples in native forests are legendary, and you can bring this fall scene into your home landscape by carefully selecting species and cultivars that suit your needs.
However, remember that the fall color of any tree is based on many factors, including fall precipitation and temperature. Even relatively consistent crops are at the mercy of the weather. Intense summer heat and dryness may reduce color intensity. Optimum fall foliage depends on sunny days and crisp nights in early fall. In years with unusual sun or temperature patterns, the color palette may change. Fear not: A year of muted hues doesn't mean the spectacular display won't return.
Here are 10 great maple trees to consider for brilliant fall color.
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Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Red maple leaves (Acer rubrum) sometimes conflict with its common name because under conditions the color can range from dirty yellow to orange—not always red. However, when grown in well-drained and slightly acidic soil, it often provides a beautiful red color that changes from yellow-orange. A particularly good cultivar is 'Franksred,' commonly sold under the trade name Red Sunset, which grows to a manageable 50 feet and produces a very reliable red color.
Native Area: Eastern and Central North America
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
Height: 40-70 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x Freemani 'Jeffersred' Autumn Blaze)
Autumn Blaze is the trade name for the 'Jeffersred' cultivar of a hybrid maple called Acer x freemanii, a cross of red and silver maples. It is a medium-sized tree with a dense, broad-oval crown. The medium-green leaves, which have a classic five-lobed shape, turn orange-red in autumn. This elegant tree produces a small amount of seeds.
Native Area: Nursery hybrid; The parent species is in eastern North America and southern Canada
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
Height: 40-55 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
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Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Popular as a source of maple syrup, sugar maples grow to 80 feet or more, spreading up to 60 feet. Their fall foliage ranges from yellow to orange to red, contrasting beautifully with the dark gray trunk and branches. Acer saccharum, which has served as the genetic parent for many hybrids, makes a good landscape tree, but it is sensitive to road salts and other urban pollutants. A particularly popular cultivar is 'Bailsta', commonly sold under the trade name Fall Fiesta. This fast-growing version has a very good tolerance for urban conditions and a penchant for deep orange-red colors that last longer than other red maples.
Native to: Eastern North America
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
Height: 40-80 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
Black Maple (Acer saccharum sub. nigrum)
An attractive subspecies of sugar maple is commonly known as black maple (Acer saccharum subsp. nigrum); Some authorities consider it a species of its own, A. Listed as nigrum. It's similar to sugar maple—they can even cross species—but it has almost black stripes compared to its yellow, orange, or dark-red leaves. Summer foliage is slightly darker green than sugar maple.
Native to: Eastern North America
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
Height: 60-75 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
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Norway Maple (Acer platonoides)
Norway maple is not as spectacular as some because the fall color is usually a less noticeable yellow. However, it can be a good choice in harsh urban conditions as it is well adapted to many soil types and environmental pollutants. Norway maples are very hardy trees that may invade parts of North America. Many states and counties have actually declared it legally invasive — meaning it can't be planted. In situations where red maples or sugar maples grow successfully, either of those maples is a better choice.
Native range: Northeast Europe to the Caucasus
USDA Growing Zones: 4–7
Height: 40-50 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
Amur Maple (Acer tataricum subsp. Jinnala 'Flame')
Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. Jinnala 'Flame') is a good compact tree or large shrub, sometimes sold as Acer Jinnala. Although they can tolerate light shade, they achieve their best fall color if they get full sun. The effort pays off: their fall foliage is bright red or occasionally yellow. This tree grows well in urban situations, but, like the Norway maple, is considered invasive in some areas.
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Striped Maple, Snake Bark Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) is also known as snake-bark maple or moosewood maple because it is eaten by deer, rabbits, porcupines, and beavers. If you're looking for a small tree for fall foliage color, this is a good native choice because it can reach a maximum height of 30 feet and produces nice yellow leaves. It can easily be kept short by pruning; You can grow it as a shrub if you like. The primary common name, striped maple, refers to the white stripes that run vertically up the green bark of the stem when young. It is an understory tree in forests and should be planted in a shady spot. As for the soil, sandy loam is best because it needs good drainage.
Native to: Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada
USDA Growing Zones: 3–7
Height: 15-25 feet
Sun exposure: Area
Hedge Maple (Acer campestre)
This maple has a very specialized use in landscaping: the hedge maple (Acer campestre), as its common name suggests, is used in tall hedges. They are valued less for their yellow fall foliage than for their growth habit and they tolerate compacted soil and pollution. These slow-growing trees have a dense growth habit with a branching pattern that begins far down the trunk. Put all these facts together and it's easy to see how hedge maples, with a little pruning, can be an excellent choice for a tall privacy hedge along a roadside. However, they can reach a height of 35 feet if left unattended.
Native Area: Europe, Western Asia
USDA Growing Zones: 5–8
Height: 25-35 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
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Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
The elegant and compact Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a three-season winner in its favored climates: beautiful chartreuse or dark red leaves in some cultivars give way to yellow, red-purple and bronze leaves in spring and summer. fall Some varieties make excellent versatile shrubs, while others make wonderful miniature specimen trees.
Homeland: Japan, Korea
USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 (some cultivars can survive in zone 4)
Height: 10-25 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Originally from Asia and bearing red fall leaves is the paperbark maple (Acer griseum). Its common name indicates that its peeling bark is considered ornamental, as is the bark on some species of birch (Betula spp.). The fall color of this maple tree is usually a very attractive red, however, in some years or conditions, it may display red-green or orange leaves instead.
Native region: Central and Eastern China
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
Height: 20-30 feet
Sun exposure: full, partial
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