Add a glow to your garden this autumn. Heres our pick of 11 of the best UK native trees suitable for smaller spaces. Theyll give you a splash of seasonal colour, from fiery foliage to bright, bold berries.
The pretty, round leaves of this tree, which is also called quaking aspen, shimmer and shake in even the lightest breeze. In autumn they turn from bronze to bright yellow or sometimes red. This tree often grows suckers (shoots around the base of the tree) which should be pruned off.
When autumn arrives, the changing leaves put on a spectacular show of vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and purples As the greens of summer fade away, it’s a visual treat to see trees revealing their true colors If you want to enjoy stunning fall foliage in your own yard, consider adding one of these trees known for their eye-catching autumn displays.
Stag’s Horn Sumach
With its open spreading form, stag’s horn sumac makes a great accent or specimen tree. As summer gives way to fall its compound leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red and purple. This native tree thrives in full sun and adaptable to most soils. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. Stag’s horn sumac grows 15-25 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8.
Beech
European beech is prized for its smooth gray bark and dense, symmetrical oval crown. As temperatures cool, the dark green summer leaves transform into coppery bronze hues. Eventually, the leaves turn amber or light tan and cling to the branches well into winter. A majestic shade tree, beech grows 50-60 feet tall and 35-45 feet wide. Zones 4-7.
Sweet Gum
Known for its star-shaped leaves, sweet gum is a neat pyramidal tree that provides great fall interest. The 5-lobed leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow and deep purple. On younger trees, the bark is corky with narrow ridges Sweet gum grows quickly when young, up to 3 feet per year It matures at 60-75 feet tall. Zones 5-9.
Kousa Dogwood
Kousa dogwood is an excellent small specimen tree. Its horizontal branching pattern has a graceful, elegant form. In fall, the pointed leaves turn shades of red and purple, often developing lovely burgundy tones. The peeling tan bark provides great winter interest. Kousa dogwood grows 15-30 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-8.
Japanese Maple
Japanese maple is a highly ornamental tree with hundreds of cultivars to choose from. In general, they are known for leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and maroon in autumn. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Shaina’ and ‘Tamukeyama’ grow just 6-10 feet tall. Large cultivars can reach 25 feet or more. Zones 5-9.
Paperbark Maple
Valued for its exfoliating copper brown to cinnamon bark, paperbark maple is a nice compact tree. The 3-lobed leaves emerge red-tinged in spring, turn green in summer, and develop rich red and orange fall color. It has an upright oval to rounded form and grows 20-30 feet high and 15-25 feet wide. Zones 5-7.
Chinese Tupelo
Chinese tupelo is an excellent choice for brilliant fall foliage. Its glossy green leaves turn intense shades of yellow, orange, bright red and maroon in autumn. The blue-black fruit on female trees stands out against the colorful foliage. Chinese tupelo develops an upright oval to rounded form and grows 30-50 feet tall. Zones 5-9.
Ginkgo
Relatively pest and disease free, ginkgo is a unique and distinctive tree. Its fan-shaped leaves turn brilliant clear yellow in fall. Gingko has a pyramidal to upright spreading habit when young, eventually maturing to a more oval crown. It grows at a moderate rate to 50-80 feet tall. Zones 4-8.
Beyond their stellar fall displays, these trees provide multi-season interest with flowers, fruits, attractive branching patterns or ornamental bark. Consider incorporating a few into your landscape for a boost of autumn color.
With so many fantastic options, it can be challenging to settle on the best trees for fall foliage. Here are a few tips when planning:
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Select trees that feature red, orange or yellow fall color to make the biggest impact.
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Mix different trees together for a varied tapestry effect. Too much of one color can look monotonous.
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Include evergreens as a backdrop to make the autumn colors pop even more.
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Choose trees of different heights, forms and textures for visual interest.
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Consider fall display when positioning trees. Putting a purple-leaved maple in front of a golden oak combines complementary colors beautifully.
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Don’t forget about spring interest too. Trees like redbuds, crabapples and magnolias look spectacular as their blooms fade.
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Fall color varies year to year depending on weather. Planting a range of trees helps ensure a good display each autumn.
With proper placement and care, an artistic blend of trees can bathe your landscape in radiant fall colors. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your design work each year as summer transitions to autumn. The planning and patience required will pay off for decades to come.
Silver birch (Betula pendula)
Silver birch prefers sandy or acidic soils although can grow in most conditions.
Credit: Laurie Campbell / WTML Mature height
Silver birch is beautiful all year, but in the fall, its golden-yellow leaves and white, pink, or brown bark that peels off look especially nice. Its a quick-growing, elegant, slender species that doesnt take up too much space in the garden.
Spindle grows in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Credit: Nature Photographers Ltd / WTML Mature height
Spindle looks its most beautiful in the fall, when its leaves turn brown and its pink and orange fruits are ready to be picked. When its pink-winged fruits open, they show bright orange seeds that stay on the tree long after the leaves have died. A stunning specimen tree but also works well in a hedge.
Rowan grows well in most soils but prefers light, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Credit: Pete Cairns / Nauturepl.com Mature height
Rowan is an elegant tree with a mystical history. In autumn its striking pinnate leaves turn a magnificent orange or red. A lot of orange-red berries hang from the tree all winter, giving mice and birds plenty to eat.
Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
Guelder rose grows well in moist, well-drained soils in full sun or shade.
Credit: Laurie Campbell / WTML Mature height
Bold and beautiful, this species will brighten up your garden in autumn. Thrush and waxwing love its showy clusters of bright red berries, and its three-lobed leaves turn a rich scarlet color in the fall. Grow it as a hedge or specimen shrub.
Hawthorn is a shade-tolerant tree for non-acidic, well-drained to moist soils.
Credit: Ben Lee / WTML Mature height
A pagan symbol of fertility, hawthorn is a classic hedgerow species or is ideal as a specimen tree. In autumn, its deeply-lobed leaves turn a crimson red and its jewel-like berries gleam. Its great for wildlife, too, especially blackbirds.
5 Best Maple Trees for Fall Color | NatureHills.com
FAQ
Which tree has the best fall color?
Which trees look best in autumn?
What is the best maple tree for autumn color?
What is an autumn tree?
Which deciduous trees have the best autumn color?
Here are 12 types of deciduous trees that provide both great autumn color and have at least one other notable feature. The honeylocust typically produces bright yellow fall foliage, but the ‘Sunburst’ cultivar is even more interesting because its leaves feature a touch of green mixed into the yellow.
Which trees are best for fall color?
The experts from Hillier nurseries and garden centers pick out a couple of trees for fall color that are resilient and can cope with a range of garden conditions. Gingko Biloba – the Maidenhair tree, is renowned for its unusual leaf shape, and is a favorite among landscapers the world over,’ they explain.
What are the best fall trees?
Ahead, our favorite fall trees for your garden of any size: This tree is the winner for best autumn color, hands down. Sugar maples make stately trees with unparalleled hues of red, orange, and yellow—sometimes all on the same leaf! USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 Mature Size: 55 to 75 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide
What trees have golden fall foliage?
Certain Maples, like the Red Maple (Acer rubrum), are among the first to show fall colors, transitioning as early as late summer in some regions. What tree is known for its golden fall foliage? The Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) is renowned for its striking, bright golden-yellow foliage in the fall, transforming landscapes with its vibrant color.