6 trees for autumn color
Bring brilliant fall tones to your yard year after year with these vibrant selections.
Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
A garden-scale tree with a rounded canopy; narrow leaflets give it a lacy appearance. In fall, foliage turns luminous shades of orange and red to gold. Sunset’s garden climate zones 4–16, 18–23.
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
The most airy and delicate of all maples. Varieties with colorful leaves include “Atropurpureum” (bronzy green), “Bloodgood” (scarlet), “Bonfire” (orange-pink) and “Ever Red” (crimson). Zones A3, 2–10, 12, 14–24.
Liquidambar
Maplelike leaves give this stout-trunked tree, also known as sweetgum, a lacy effect. Fall color varies by variety. L. styraciflua “Palo Alto” has orange-red to bright red leaves. L. styraciflua “Festival” turns yellow, peach, pink, orange and red. Zones 3–9, 14–24.
Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)
A graceful tree with fan-shaped leaves that turn buttery yellow in fall; they drop all at once to create a golden carpet on lawns or paving. Zones A3, 1–10, 12, 14–24.
Pin oak (Quercus palustris)
An open, rounded tree. In brisk fall weather, the glossy leaves turn yellow, red and finally russet brown. Zones 2–10, 14–24.
Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
In fall, leaves turn vivid yellow, orange or red; after they drop, brilliant orange fruits hang on well into winter. Best in zones 6–9, 14–16, 18–24, H1.
Source: http://realestate.msn.com/improve/slideshow_sunset.aspx?cp-documentid=11018966>1=35000
