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13 Most Eye-Catching Trees For Fall Foliage (Simply Stunning)

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Written By Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

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Home » Statement Trees » 13 Most Eye-Catching Trees For Fall Foliage (Simply Stunning)

Take a look at the most stunning trees with beautiful fall foliage.

Whether you just want to admire these fall color trees or are looking for fall landscaping ideas, you are in for a treat.

Get ready for vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, purples and even some multi color foliage.

13 Best Fall Color Trees In Red, Orange, Yellow & More

1. Red Maple

Fiery reds and vibrant oranges light up the landscape when Red Maple leaves transform in the fall.

Known for its fast growth and adaptability, this tree thrives in a variety of soil types and climates. Its rounded crown and brilliant colors make it a favorite for autumn displays in both urban and rural settings.

Often chosen for its hardiness and striking seasonal beauty, the Red Maple adds a bold touch to any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 40-70 feet tall, 30-50 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Bright red, orange, and yellow
  • Botanical Name: Acer rubrum

2. Black Gum

Black Gum trees burst into a spectacular array of bright red, orange, and sometimes purple hues in the fall.

Valued for its glossy, oval leaves and pyramidal shape, this tree adds visual interest throughout the year.

The Black Gums fall color display is one of the most vibrant and long-lasting among deciduous trees, making it a showstopper in any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Average Mature Size: 30-50 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Bright red, orange, yellow, and purple
  • Botanical Name: Nyssa sylvatica

3. Japanese Maple

Delicate, deeply lobed leaves of Japanese Maple turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.

Great for small gardens and accent plantings, this tree brings elegance with its graceful form and stunning seasonal colors.

With slow growth and exceptional versatility, the Japanese Maple remains a favorite for creating memorable autumn displays.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
  • Average Mature Size: 10-25 feet tall, 10-25 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Red, orange, yellow, and purple
  • Botanical Name: Acer palmatum

4. Sugar Maple

Bold autumn hues of orange, yellow, and red make the Sugar Maple a standout in fall foliage.

Renowned for its brilliant color display and dense, symmetrical crown, this tree also offers shade in summer and sap for maple syrup.

Its adaptability and majestic presence make the Sugar Maple a beloved choice for both rural landscapes and city streets.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Average Mature Size: 60-75 feet tall, 40-50 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Orange, yellow, and red
  • Botanical Name: Acer saccharum

5. Sassafras

Sassafras trees light up the fall season with a mix of yellow, orange, and deep red foliage, creating a multi-colored spectacle.

Recognized for its unique, mitten-shaped leaves and fragrant aroma, this tree adds character to any landscape.

Its vibrant fall colors, paired with its unusual leaf shapes, make the Sassafras a charming and eye-catching choice for autumn gardens.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Average Mature Size: 30-60 feet tall, 25-40 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Yellow, orange, and red
  • Botanical Name: Sassafras albidum

6. American Aspen

Golden-yellow leaves of the American Aspen create a breathtaking contrast against its white bark in the fall.

With its fluttering foliage shimmering in the breeze, this tree adds movement and color to autumn landscapes.

Often found in groves, the American Aspens rapid growth and striking seasonal display make it a favorite for naturalizing large areas.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
  • Average Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Golden yellow
  • Botanical Name: Populus tremuloides

7. Maidenhair Tree

Fan-shaped leaves of the Maidenhair Tree turn a stunning golden yellow in the fall, creating a radiant canopy.

With its unique leaf shape and resistance to pollution, this tree is a popular choice in urban settings.

The Maidenhair’s distinct form and brilliant fall display add elegance and charm to parks, streets, and gardens.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 40-80 feet tall, 30-40 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Golden yellow
  • Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba

8. Tulip Tree

Bright golden-yellow leaves of the Tulip Tree make a striking display in the fall, adding a warm glow to the landscape.

With its fast growth and unique, tulip-like flowers in spring, this tree offers beauty in every season.

Its tall, straight trunk and expansive canopy provide excellent shade for large gardens and parks.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Average Mature Size: 70-90 feet tall, 40-50 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Golden yellow
  • Botanical Name: Liriodendron tulipifera

9. Sweet Gum

Star-shaped leaves of the Sweet Gum transform into a vibrant palette of red, orange, yellow, and purple in the fall.

This tree is admired for its striking, long-lasting autumn display and its unique, spiky seed pods.

With a tall, pyramidal shape, the Sweet Gum adds visual interest to both urban and rural landscapes, making it a versatile choice for fall foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Average Mature Size: 60-80 feet tall, 40-60 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Red, orange, yellow, and purple
  • Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua

10. Paperbark Maple

Peeling, cinnamon-colored bark of the Paperbark Maple provides year-round interest, but its real show comes in fall with leaves turning rich shades of red and bronze.

Compact and slow-growing, this tree fits well in smaller gardens and adds texture with its distinct bark.

The Paperbark Maples vibrant autumn colors and unique appearance make it a standout for ornamental plantings.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
  • Average Mature Size: 20-30 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Red and bronze
  • Botanical Name: Acer griseum

11. American Beech

Rich golden-bronze leaves of the American Beech bring warmth to the fall landscape, holding their color well into winter.

Its smooth, gray bark and dense canopy provide year-round beauty, making it a stately choice for large gardens and parks.

Loved for its longevity and shade-providing qualities, this tree adds both elegance and ecological value.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 50-80 feet tall, 40-60 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Golden bronze
  • Botanical Name: Fagus grandifolia

12. Japanese Stewartia

Japanese Stewartia showcases a stunning fall display with its leaves turning fiery shades of red, orange, and purple.

Beyond its autumn brilliance, this tree is known for its peeling bark and elegant white summer flowers.

With a refined, multi-season appeal and a manageable size, it’s an excellent choice for smaller gardens and ornamental settings.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
  • Average Mature Size: 20-40 feet tall, 15-30 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Red, orange, and purple
  • Botanical Name: Stewartia pseudocamellia

13. Bald Cypress

Feathery leaves of the Bald Cypress turn a warm coppery-bronze in the fall, creating a soft, glowing effect in the landscape.

Admired for its unique, flared trunk base and adaptability to wet conditions, this tree thrives in both waterlogged and well-drained soils.

Its striking autumn colors and rugged beauty make it a favorite for naturalizing near ponds or in large landscapes.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-10
  • Average Mature Size: 50-70 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide
  • Foliage Colors: Coppery bronze
  • Botanical Name: Taxodium distichum
Fall Foliage Infographic

Want More?

Did you love these stunning fall colored trees as much as I do?

Perhaps you have some fall gardening ideas running through your head now?

If you love colors then you will love these yellow flowering trees, pink flowering trees, orange flowering trees, purple flowering trees, blue flowering trees and white flowering trees.

Photo of author

Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

Sophia has cultivated her gardening skills over the past decade, focusing on the care of both ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Her deep understanding of sustainable gardening practices stems from a lifelong passion for nature and plant life. Beyond her professional life, Sophia spends her leisure time engaged with the natural world. She enjoys birdwatching and nature photography, capturing the intricate beauty of the ecosystems around her.

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