Fall brings a spectacular transformation to landscapes as trees shift into vibrant hues. Choosing the right autumn shade tree can enhance the beauty of your yard during this season. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best options available from BCB Landscaping’s shade tree selection, each offering brilliant fall color along with practical benefits.
1. Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’)
A hybrid of Red and Silver Maple, the Autumn Blaze Maple is a fast-growing, low-maintenance tree known for its brilliant orange-red fall foliage. Reaching heights of up to 45 feet, this tree is ideal for providing shade and vibrant seasonal color.
Why Choose the Autumn Blaze Maple?
- Striking orange-red fall color.
- Grows quickly, up to 3-5 feet per year.
- Low maintenance and adaptable to various soils.
- Offers excellent summer shade and fall beauty.
2. Red Sunset Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’)
The Red Sunset Maple is one of the most reliable trees for producing brilliant red foliage in early fall. It grows to about 50 feet tall, providing ample summer shade, and its strong branch structure makes it resilient in different climates.
Why Choose the Red Sunset Maple?
- Early fall foliage with vivid red tones.
- Thrives in various soils and climates.
- Excellent shade provider.
- Low-maintenance and adaptable.
3. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
The Sugar Maple is an iconic tree famous for its striking red, orange, and yellow fall color. Growing up to 60 feet tall, this slow-growing tree is known for both its beauty and its contribution to maple syrup production.
Why Choose the Sugar Maple?
- Stunning multi-color fall foliage.
- Long-lived and offers a wide, dense canopy.
- Produces maple syrup.
- Adds classic autumn charm to any landscape.
4. Armstrong Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Armstrong’)
The Armstrong Maple is perfect for tighter spaces due to its narrow, columnar shape. It reaches heights of up to 40 feet and turns a vivid red in the fall, adding vertical interest to smaller landscapes.
Why Choose the Armstrong Maple?
- Columnar form fits well in limited spaces.
- Vivid red fall color.
- Low maintenance and fast-growing.
- Ideal for urban and suburban settings.
5. Royal Red Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Royal Red’)
The Royal Red Maple stands out with its deep maroon leaves, which persist throughout the growing season. In the fall, the foliage darkens to an even richer red, offering a unique contrast in autumn landscapes.
Why Choose the Royal Red Maple?
- Dark maroon leaves year-round.
- Striking red fall display.
- Moderate height, growing up to 35 feet.
- Distinctive foliage color sets it apart.
6. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Known for its unique fan-shaped leaves, the Ginkgo offers a stunning display of golden-yellow foliage in the fall. This ancient species is adaptable to urban environments, making it a favorite for city landscapes.
Why Choose the Ginkgo?
- Unique fan-shaped leaves with golden-yellow fall color.
- Highly tolerant of urban conditions.
- Low-maintenance and pest-resistant.
- Provides a distinct look in any landscape.
7. Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
The Northern Red Oak is a stately tree that can grow up to 60 feet tall, providing substantial shade. In the fall, its leaves turn a rich red, making it an impressive addition to larger landscapes.
Why Choose the Northern Red Oak?
- Rich red fall foliage.
- Strong, durable tree with a long lifespan.
- Provides dense summer shade.
- Adapts to various soil types and conditions.
8. Crimson Spire Oak (Quercus robur x Quercus alba)
With a columnar form and vibrant red fall color, the Crimson Spire Oak is ideal for adding vertical interest to landscapes while offering brilliant seasonal color.
Why Choose the Crimson Spire Oak?
- Columnar form fits narrow spaces.
- Vibrant red fall foliage.
- Low maintenance and highly adaptable.
- Provides both shade and aesthetic appeal.
9. Shademaster Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Shademaster’)
The Shademaster Locust is an excellent choice for those seeking a fast-growing tree with fine-textured, bright green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It grows up to 50 feet tall and has an airy canopy, allowing dappled light to filter through, making it perfect for shade without creating dense darkness beneath.
Why Choose the Shademaster Locust?
- Light, airy canopy providing filtered shade.
- Bright green leaves turning yellow in the fall.
- Tolerates poor soil conditions and urban environments.
- Grows quickly and offers excellent durability.
10. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
The Swamp White Oak is a resilient tree that thrives in wetter soils, making it ideal for areas with poor drainage. Its leaves turn a striking yellow-brown in the fall, providing a unique autumn display. It can reach heights of 50 to 60 feet, providing excellent shade and fall color.
Why Choose the Swamp White Oak?
- Thrives in wet, poorly drained soils.
- Stunning yellow-brown fall foliage.
- Strong, durable tree perfect for large landscapes.
- Provides long-lasting shade and seasonal beauty.
Selecting trees with vibrant fall color not only enhances the beauty of your landscape but also adds practical shade benefits during the warmer months. From the fast-growing Autumn Blaze Maple with its fiery red leaves to the majestic Northern Red Oak offering deep, rich hues, each tree provides a distinct look that shines every autumn. These options from BCB Landscaping cater to a variety of landscapes, whether you need a narrow tree for urban spaces or a sprawling giant for larger properties. Investing in these shade trees ensures your yard will glow with color for years to come.
With 23 years of experience rooted in the values and lessons from our Family Farm in Butler County, NE, BCB Trees and Landscaping has grown from a Walnut Plantation to a full-service landscaping company known for providing the best value, personal service, and quality design and installation in the Omaha metro area, including Gretna, Bennington, Elkhorn, La Vista, Millard, and Waterloo.
