In most years the following native trees usually produce dependable autumn leaf color. The recent month-long drought spell has likely shortened their leaf color period. The first seven (7) natives are major contributors to the region’s fall color around the Tri-Cities TN/VA. Two species – Franklin tree and Sourwood (Lily-of-the-Valley) tree are notoriously finicky to grow. Sassafras has a notorious taproot system which makes it difficult to start. Finally, hickory (Carya) and American persimmon (Diospyros) trees are very slow growing in their early years. My advice is to plant them when you are young or buy a property with these tree species already growing on the land.

Oxydendrum arboreum	Liquidambar styraciflua	Franklinia alatamaha

1. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – large 60-80 feet tall tree whose fall color is a brilliant mixture of yellows, oranges, purples, and reds; best cultivars Happidaze™ (‘Hapdell’), ‘Slender Silhouette”. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9).

2. Black gum, tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) – this large 50-50 feet tall tree with spectacular scarlet fall color. Excellent cultivars including Green Gable®, ‘Wildfire’ and Red Rage®. (Zones 4-9).

3. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) – major contributor of fall color in the eastern and Midwest U.S. and Canada. Superior varieties – ‘Green Mountain’, ‘Legacy’. (Zones 3-9).

4. Red maple (Acer rubrum) – large 40 -60 feet tall shade maple known for fast growth rate. ‘October Glory’, ‘Red Sunset’, and others exhibit excellent red fall color. (Zones 3-9).

5. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) – this eastern U.S. native dogwood displays vivid fall colors; leaves turn red-purple; birds are attracted by the glossy red berries. (Zones 6-9).

6. Red oak (Quercus rubra) – a reliable 75 feet shade tree with crimson, orange, and russet foliage in fall. (Zones 3-7).

7. Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) – 25-30 feet tall tree is noted for its attractive flowers and foliage, orange, scarlet, and purplish fall color; 1-2 inch thorns; glossy red. (Zones 4-8).

8. Sourwood, Lily-of-the-Valley Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) – grows 25-50 feet tree with consistent crimson red fall color; white 4-8 inch long finger-like white flowers panicles hold-on through fall. (Zones 5-9).

9. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) – this common woodland tree is easy to identify by its lobed or mitten-shaped leaves; 35-50 feet tall displays a color blend of color (purple, red, orange and yellow), highly variable from one year to the next. (Zones 4-9).

10. Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) – large tap-rooted 50-60 feet tall woodland tree in the eastern and Midwest U.S. exhibits above-average golden yellow-brown fall color; not commonly available at nurseries (Zones 4-9).

11. American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – large 50- 60 feet tall tree with yellow-green fall leaf color in the northern U.S. and yellow to reddish-purple in the South (Zones 4-9).

12. Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) – native to southeast Georgia, this small 12-20 feet tall tree produces white Camellia-like flowers in late summer; variable orange-red fall foliage. (Zones 6-8).

Hugh Conlon

Garden Advisor/ Writer/ Photographer

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