With the autumn tree colors in full swing, you might be feeling a little left out if you don’t have a tree in your yard. Rather than driving to a forested area, you can bring a touch of fall ambiance to your home with one of these beautiful North Carolina trees. By planting one or more of these trees, you’ll be rewarded with dazzling reds, oranges, or yellows!
5 Trees To Add Fall Colors To Your Yard
1. Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria)
Though relatively short, this tree puts on a lovely show in the fall. At maturity, smoketrees are about 15 feet in both height and width and will need full sun. This large shrub is noted for its color in both autumn and spring. In the first part of the year, it has purplish foliage that will eventually turn a fiery red. It gets its name because the flowers grow in clusters and look like plumes of smoke. Smoketrees like full sun, so be sure to find a spot on your property where it can enjoy the sun all season long. Smoketrees require minimal pruning, so this might be a good option if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to gardening. It’s not as picky when it comes to soil type and pH levels – it can tolerate various conditions from dryer to moist and just about any pH.
2. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Sourwood will tolerate both full or partial sun and will reach heights of about 30 feet at maturity. Generally, it is about 20 feet wide once fully grown. If you go with this tree, you’ll be delighted most of the year. In summer, it produces blooms that look similar to lilies-of-the-valley – and they smell just as nice! Leaves are elliptical or oblong and will start off dark green in color and are about four to eight inches in length. When autumn arrives, you’ll really be in for a show. The leaves turn anywhere from crimson red to shades of purple to yellow. You’ll be doing the local bee population a favor by planting sourwood, as they like to frequent sourwood to make their honey. And if you plant this in the yard of your forever home, your family will enjoy it for many years to come. Sourwoods are known to live for 100 to 200 years! If planted in the right spot and looked after by tree care services, there’s no reason you can’t expect this tree to stick around for generations.
3. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Black gums, also known as black tupelo, are native to the U.S. This tree grows to medium heights of 30 to 50 feet and about 20 to 30 feet wide when fully mature. They do well in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, which gives you more flexibility in planting location than other trees on this list. While their fall colors range from purple to yellow, you will most likely get a vibrant orange-red hue. During the hottest part of the year, this tree provides ample shade. Birds enjoy the fruit produced by the trees, so you might catch a glimpse of some new feathery friends. Black gum prefers well-drained soil that’s on the acidic end of the pH scale.
4. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Of the trees on this list, sugar maples are in the tallest bracket, clocking in at 40 – 80 feet tall and 30 – 60 feet wide. They love full sun or partial shade and will grow easily in just about any soil condition, particularly moist, acidic, well-drained soil. They can even tolerate full shade if need be. Sugar maples are also considered lower maintenance, as they don’t need much pruning year after year. In fall, sugar maples have one of the most vibrant foliage of any tree. And if you’re wondering, yes, these are the maples that produce the iconic maple syrup. In fact, it takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce just 1 gallon of concentrated maple syrup. If the bright red leaves look familiar, that could be because it is the national symbol of Canada. Unfortunately, one drawback of producing that sweet syrup is sugar maples are prone to insects like aphids. Fortunately, Pine Valley Turf’s tree services can easily take care of insect problems.
5. River Birch (Betula nigra)
In the fall, river birch will turn a characteristic yellow, which creates a lovely contrast with its bark. Speaking of river birch bark, it’s known for being curly and peeling. As the bark is peeled away, you’ll notice a lighter, tannish-colored bark beneath. This two-toned bark is one of the most desired features and why many homeowners enjoy having it in their yards. It reaches medium heights of about 30 – 60 feet and about 20 – 50 feet in width. They also grow quite fast – about 1.5 – 2 feet each year, so you won’t have to wait terribly long for your sapling to produce some shade. They prefer moist, fertile, and well-drained soil with full sun to moderately shady areas.
Find Tree Care Near Charlotte
Whether you’re thinking of adding one of these colorful trees to your yard or already have one, the experts at Pine Valley Turf will ensure it stays healthy and happy for many years to come. Our tree and shrub care program protects your larger plants from insects and provides them with the nutrients they need all season long. We also offer lawn care services to keep your lawn as vibrant as your trees! To learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at 701-831-8917, or you can leave us a message online. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see photos of our work and stay up to date on the latest deals. And don’t forget to check out our blog page for more articles improving your yard!