Is your front or back yard looking a little too lackluster this fall? Do you dream of coming home to a red and orange canopy of fall trees, and achieving the ultimate autumn curb appeal? Fall trees are a staple of North America’s uniquely styled fall seasons, and are a must-have for any homeowner that wants to achieve the warm and cozy look as the weather cools. Read on for a comprehensive guide on the best midwestern native trees you can plant at home to give your outdoor space the perfect pop of color.

Red Oak
bright red • russet red

Considered to be a ‘national treasure’ by arborists everywhere, the Red Oak is the star of the show. Its considerable height and branch span are paired with a bold russet-red to bright-red coloration throughout the bulk of the fall season, meaning you are free to admire it all season. This towering species grows around two feet per year and can reach a maximum height of 75 feet with a spread of over 45 feet, making it perfect for large yards that are in need of extra shade throughout the year.

Planting

Planting a Red Oak is best done in the early spring or fall in order for the roots to settle in before the arrival of extreme weather. Consult with your landscaper or arborist on the best location to plant this tree— ideally it should be left with plenty of room so as not to interfere with power lines or buildings. Red Oaks are best planted in a place where it will get at least 6 hours of sun a day.

Care

Thankfully, Red Oaks require minimal maintenance after they are planted. This tree should still be watered once a week in the absence of rainfall until it grows into an established tree, and it is always a good idea to have young trees checked for mildew or aphids.

Black Tupelo
orange • red • scarlet

Don’t have room for a large Red Oak but still want to add some red to your yard’s color palette? Meet the Black Tupelo, also known as a Black Gum or Sour Gum tree. Growing close to two feet each year and reaching a maximum height of 30-50 feet and a width of 20-30 feet, this tree is the versatile solution your mid-sized yard needs: not only does it display vibrant shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple, and scarlet in the fall, but it also produces small berries that are popular among birds, and it is an ideal tree to plant if your garden welcomes honey bees.

Planting

Plant your Black Tupelo tree in a location that will allow it plenty of room to grow, as this species has a long taproot that must reach deep into the ground in order to grow. It is also advisable not to plant this tree too close to walkways or patios in order to avoid stepping on its dropped fruit, and to make outdoor cleanup easier. Black Tupelos can be planted in partial shade as well as direct sunlight, so long as they receive at least 4 hours of sun.

Care

Young Tupelos will need regular watering, but after the first year they will be self-sufficient unless the climate becomes abnormally dry. Minimal pruning is required for these trees, and is best done during late fall or after the coldest point of winter. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or abnormal-looking bark or branches, but otherwise your tree should be resistant to most pests and diseases.

Shagbark Hickory
yellow • golden brown

This North American native has a rich history of providing flavorful wood, hickory nuts (distant cousins to the pecan), and bountiful shade. It also stands front and center as an American icon in the fall, when its leaves turn bright yellow and golden brown. This species is slow to grow into its shade tree lineage, but once it reaches full maturity, it can stand at up to 90 feet tall and 70 feet wide. The hickory nuts that this tree produces after its fledgling years can be eaten right out of the shell or used in a variety of recipes, including nut muffins.

Planting

Due to the slow-growing nature of this tree, you might be tempted to plant it close to your home or other structures, but this species still needs lots of room to grow. Plant your hickory tree in a bright, sunny, open area where it will be able to receive ample sunlight (at least 8 hours worth) and provide ample shade once it grows into an established tree. As with other fruit or nut-bearing trees, be sure to plant this one far enough away from walkways and cars that damage from falling nuts is avoided.

Care

Keep the tree’s soil lightly moist for the first season, and be sure to fertilize this tree once a year in the fall until it starts bearing nuts (this can range from 10-15 seasons). Once your hickory has matured, nut harvesting is usually best performed in late autumn after the nuts have ripened sufficiently. Watch out for aphids or bark beetles that can damage the tree, as well as any leaf or bark discoloration.

Sugar Maple
golden yellow • orange

To say this is one of North America’s most popular trees would be an understatement. Not only has the Sugar Maple been crowned the state tree of New York, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Vermont, but it is also the national tree of Canada— as exemplified by the bright red-orange maple leaves it produces each year. This sweet fall staple is also grown to produce maple syrup and valuable lumber. This species forms a distinct oval shape and grows one to two feet per year, maturing at up to 74 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It produces green flower buds during the spring, but saves the big show for autumn.

Planting

When sugar maple trees are young, they can tolerate partial shade as well as direct sunlight, but they will likely outgrow the rest of your yard’s landscaping to get the amount of sun they need (4-6 hours). For this reason, giving these trees plenty of space is ideal. Keep in mind their root system as well when planting, as it can spread out quite a bit and could disrupt existing sidewalks, driveways, and home foundations. Sugar maples are best planted in the cooler months of fall.

Care

Sugar Maple trees do require regular watering, although the frequency of waterings lessens as the tree grows older. In the beginning, stick to twice-a-week waterings and lessen as needed. If your leaves are browning, your maple needs more water. Pruning is only necessary if branches are damaged or touching existing structures. Though your maple tree can produce sap from an early age, it is not mature enough for proper sap until it reaches 30 or 40 years of age. Still, it will produce vibrant orange hues every year and make the ultimate statement piece for your home’s outdoor landscape.