Autumn Splendor: Native Trees for Fall Color
From show-stopping aspen to flame red maple, the perfect solution for choosing an envy-inducing fall tree for your garden could be as simple as a walk in the woods. However, with so many possibilities on the market today, deciding which trees to plant for the best fall foliage may prove more than you bargained for.
To view a selection of some of my favorite native trees of the season, broken-down by region, click on the photo below.
Tree Tips
It is essential to practice proper planting techniques to ensure optimal health over the life of your tree.
- Moisten the soil - When planting a container-grown tree, moisten the soil thoroughly to extract the plant from the container with minimal root damage and to ease the tree's transition to a new environment. If the soil is very dry, sit the container in water for at least thirty-minutes before extracting the tree, or until the soil is thoroughly moist.
- Loosen Pot-Bound Roots - After removing the container, gently tease-out or cut apart the roots if severely root-bound, and trim any damaged roots.
- Check Your Dimensions - Double-check that your planting hole is the right dimensions before filling. The hole should be approximately two times the size of the root ball, and deep enough to cover the roots, yet not much deeper than the soil in which it was originally grown. Planted too deep, the roots will not get enough oxygen needed to grow, yet planted too shallow and the roots might dry out.
- Avoid "Glazing" - Found in poorly-drained, clay soil, glazing occurs when the soil compacts (often from repeated digging), forming a smooth shield of soil that makes it difficult for water to seep through. Break up the glazing and increase aeration by scarifying the sides and bottom of the hole with a garden fork.
For more planting tips, see the September issue: Fruits in the Landscape. Even though the article focuses on fruit trees, the planting suggestions apply to most ornamental trees as well.
With proper care and a little attention in the beginning stages, these trees will leave a beautiful legacy long after the fall colors have faded.
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About the Author
Courtney Capstack is a trained horticulturist from Virginia Tech. Courtney has worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden and as a volunteer
at the Hahn Horticulture Garden. Courtney currently works at the American Horticultural Society
in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Barrick, William and Rita Pelczar. Southeast SmartGarden Regional Guide. The American Horticultural Society.
DK Publishing, Inc., New York, New York. 2004.
Burns, Marilyn. "Fall's Shining Stars: Great Fall Foliage Trees." http://gardengal.net/page125.html>. 11/3/2008.
Clatterbuck, Wayne and Donna Fare. "Small Trees for Fall Splendor." The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service.
SP 514-15M-7/98.
Dirr, Michael. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 5th ed. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, Illinois. |
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