Fall is a time when all those ordinary green trees make statements that stop us dead in our tracks, and I find myself asking, “What is that, and where can I get one?” There are hundreds of varieties of trees with fall color, but when planning your landscape, you can never go wrong by starting with the basics.

Here are five unbeatable choices for landscape trees, which can be grown in most of the U.S., to provide a colorful canopy in your yard. The planting zones each type of tree grows in may vary depending on the variety chosen.

Aspen trees
The bark of Aspen trees adds a beautiful contrast to the surrounding area. (AdobeStock ©jamesdcawley)

1. Aspen

A staple of the Rockies, aspens light up the landscape with the most gorgeous shades of yellow. Aspens earn their “quaking” nickname by shimmering in the slightest breeze to create golden clouds of brilliant color, and tend to be a fast-growing type of tree. These trees form colonies connected to one vast root system. Grow in planting zones 1-7.

Beech trees
Beech trees add a ‘fairytale’ look to any area! (AdobeStock ©rosstek)

2. Beech

To get a taste of what heaven must be like, take a stroll down a forest trail with the sun shining through a canopy of beech trees – the path, the sky, the very air is lit with a golden-bronze glow as the dazzling foliage flutters down to pave your way. While you’re at it, enjoy a yummy beechnut snack. Grow in planting zones 3-9.

Birch trees in the fall
Birch trees have beautiful textures and colors to enhance any environment. (AdobeStock ©OleksandrO)

3. Birch

A birch tree in fall is a dazzling composition of colors and textures. The bright yellow foliage flutters against the distinctive peeling bark and keeps my camera clicking! Try paperbark birch for elegant white bark, and river birch for dramatic peeling scales in shades of brown. Grow in planting zones 2-8.

Sunny autumn golden maple tree over blue sky
Maple trees are one of the most common types of tree when thinking of fall foliage (AdobeStock ©sborisov)

4. Maple

Maples are unbeatable choices for fall color. Popular choices include Japanese maple (bronze, purple, and red), paperbark maple (bright red), sugar maple (orange), and silver maple (yellow). Sugar maples produce the coveted sap that is used to make maple syrup. Grow in planting zones 3-9.

Mighty oak tree
Oak trees make a statement in any season for their sheer size. (AdobeStock ©satori)

5. Oak

Oak trees weigh in with deeper shades of russet, red, and yellow-brown. Oaks tend to be the last holdouts in the fall, giving you color and interest later in the season. The thick, heavy leaves make a majestic statement (and a carpet) in your yard. Known for their sturdy wood and elegant shape, oaks have long been used as anchoring trees and windbreaks in large landscapes.

Red oaks usually provide the best fall color, with pin oaks in second place. White oaks can be colorful, but often turn brown depending on weather conditions. Some oaks, such as live oaks in the deep South, retain their leaves until spring and display no fall color. Grow in planting zones 3-9.

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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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