In other words, don’t settle for foliage that is spectacular only in fall, when you could have a tree that also offers colorful spring flowers or fruit that feeds birds in summer. Here are 12 types of deciduous trees that provide both great autumn color and have at least one other notable feature. As an additional benefit, it’s also a good street tree, tolerant of drought, road salt, and pollution. Unlike other honeylocust trees, it is thornless and seedless. ‘Sunburst’ grows to about 40 feet.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Variation: Golden spring foliage, green summer foliage, yellow-and-green fall colorSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
River birch may be one of the more popular birch trees used in landscaping in North America but consider other types of birch, too. The classic paper birch displays bark with white color, while yellow birch offers an interesting golden bark. Other birches have a weeping form. All of these trees display beautiful yellow leaves in autumn.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Variation: Dark green leaves turning yellow in fall; attractive peeling bark in white and reddish-brownSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates wet conditions
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Variation: Dark green spring and fall leaves; bright scarlet fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium-moisture to wet soil
Within the Acer genus, the sugar maples (Acer sacharum) offer the unique benefit of sap that can be tapped and boiled down to make delicious maple syrup. Growing 40 to 120 feet, sugar maples are relatively slow-growing trees with large leaves that are good as yard or street trees.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Variation: Medium green spring and summer foliage; yellow, orange, or red fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Color Variation: Light green, dark green, or burgundy summer foliage; yellow, red-purple, or bronze fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: Yellow-green spring and summer foliage; golden-brown fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained loam
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9, depending on speciesColor Variation: Dark green summer foliage, golden bronze fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Variation: Dark-green summer leaves; yellow, orange, purple, and red fall colorsSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil; does not do well in alkaline soil
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USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8Color Variation: Reddish purple summer foliage; greenish-bronze fall colorSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9, depending on speciesColor Variation: Dark green summer foliage; orange to reddish-purple fall colorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
In addition to the spectacular fall color, sumac has been used for culinary purposes, for erosion control, and as a windbreak. Along with black gum and dogwood, you can add this plant to the list of trees that feed wild birds with their berries.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Variation: Bright orange to red fall color; red, berry-like drupesSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 1 to 6Color Variation: Golden-yellow fall foliage; brilliant white barkSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
