(Part 1 of a four-part series on fall Trees, Accent plants, and Landscaping)
With fall rapidly approaching, people are eagerly anticipating the cooler weather and the beautiful foliage the trees provide. Some people take long drives or plan a trip to the mountains to observe the glorious beauty of fall trees. While a road trip is fun and exciting, it is not always practical or affordable. You can, however, sit in the shade and gaze at the spectacular colors of fall every day with the correct type of tree as part of your yard’s landscape.
The majority of the bright colors of fall come from maple trees. Native to North America, there are many different types and colors of maple trees. Some of these trees and their characteristics are as follows:
Red Maple Tree
The Red Maple is probably the most appropriately named tree as it produces something red every season of the year. In the spring, it showcases red flowers. Summer features red leafstalks. In the fall, it displays a brilliant yellow-to-red foliage, along with red buds in the winter. The Red Maple is a widely planted favorite as it tolerates many types of soils including acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, and clay. It grows relatively fast at anywhere from 13” to 24” per year. Spreading a canopy of shade capable of blocking sunlight, it can grow to a height of 40 to 60’ with a spread of approximately 40’ at maturity. The Red Maple can actually be golden yellow with tinges of red. This tree is beautiful but if you are seeking crimson-red, the Autumn Blaze or Red Sunset, cultivars of the Red Maple, may be a better choice for you.
Red Sunset Maple Tree
Aptly named, the Red Sunset Maple features a combination of red and orange leaves giving it the breathtaking sunset effect. This tree delivers on color throughout all seasons as well. Growing to a height of 45–50′ with a spread of 35–40′ at maturity, the Red Sunset Maple provides a very wide blanket of shade. It is often the first tree to change color in the fall. This tree is never “naked”, producing red clusters of small flowers from winter to spring, and bearing winged fruit in the summer that the birds and squirrels love.
October Glory Maple Tree
The minimal maintenance required makes the October Glory Maple tree an ideal landscaping tree. It quickly matures into an oval/round shape and reaches a height of 40–50′ with a spread of around 35′ at maturity. Additionally, the leaves drop off later in the season, giving you more time to enjoy the spectacular orange and red foliage. Highly tolerant to many different types of soil, the October Glory Maple would be a fantastic addition to any yard.
Autumn Blaze Maple Tree
Arguably the most popular of all of the Red Maple trees, not only will the fiery red, show-stopping color of the Autumn Blaze Maple capture attention, it will increase your home’s property value. People want good landscaping and if you ever sell your home, this is one solid investment. These trees adapt to any soil that drains well, including sandy soil or clay. They are very strong trees and can withstand freezing temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. At a growth rate of up to 3’ per year, this is the fastest growing hybrid of the maple trees. The Autumn Blaze Maple is tough, disease-resistant, and insect resistant. Providing lush green leaves in the summer, a vast area of shade is provided all year long.
Gingko Biloba Tree
Hailed as one of the most beautiful and distinct of all deciduous trees, the Ginkgo Biloba certainly stands out. Featuring unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn a stunning yellow color in the fall, it is considered a shade tree and an ornamental tree. Growing to a height of 25–50′ with a spread of 25–35′ at maturity, it can live as long as 3,000 years.
Any of the above-mentioned fall and shade trees will make an extremely impressive addition to your yard. For help with any of your tree installation or landscaping needs, contact Hyatt Landscaping Inc. at 704-888-5390 or fill out our free estimate form. We hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this four-part series. Please join us next week for Part 2 as we discuss accent plants that will provide amazing color to your landscape.