The perfect time to enjoy fall color changes in our deciduous trees

and shrubs approaches. With the arrival of cooler weather and shorter

days, our native and adapted trees will begin to display the vivid reds

and yellows of their fall colors, as they prepare to shed their leaves

for winter.

 

One of the showiest of all is our native bigtooth maple. This beauty

is one of the few maples that happens to thrive in our limestone,

alkaline soil. They grow to between 25 to 50 feet, and have brilliant

yellow and red fall color.

 

Bigtooth maples grow in the protected canyons of the Edwards
Plateau and in the higher elevations of the Trans-Pecos. These are

the trees of the Lost Maples State Park in Vanderpool, about two

hours west of Austin.

 

Lost Maples is worth a visit, if only for the joy of the drive to get

there. The trip from Bandera to Tarpley and on to Vanderpool and

Utopia has to be one of the most scenic in the state.

 

(Check the Lost Maples website for weekly updates on fall color

changes. Latest report: Oct. 26: “The Maple trees are giving hints

that they might give us some nice color soon. With much cooler

weather predicted this weekend they should show us their true

colors for the fall within a week or two.”)

                    _____________________________

 

Another maple that is showing some promise for our region is the

Shantung. Native to China, this maple shows great heat resistance

and tolerance to our alkaline soils and water.

 

Shantung Maples grow to 25 feet and turn clear yellow to purple-ish

in the fall. An added attraction is their new growth in the spring.

The new leaves are purple, giving the tree the nickname “purpleblow.”

 

Probably the most magnificent of the native fall color displays comes

from the red oak. This stately tree can grow to 100 feet and has a

broad crown.

 

Shumard oaks have somewhat large leaves that turn a brilliant scarlet

hue in late fall. Cared for properly, with plenty of water, this tree

can grow remarkably fast.

 

On the downside, shumard oaks are susceptible to oak wilt. Some

grown from seed gathered in far east Texas to Louisiana have

problems with the alkaline soils of central Texas. Ask your nursery-

man the source to avoid any future problems.

Chinquapin oak is another good choice for fall color. This medium

sized oak (50 feet) produces large, elongated leaves that turn yellow

to bronze (rust) in the fall. Although not as showy as shumard red oak,

this tree is gaining popularity due to its beautiful shape, and it’s

resistance to oak wilt.

 

Other great color trees to look for are cedar elm, bald cypress, and

Chinese pistache. For smaller trees and large shrubs for attractive

fall color, try crape myrtles, roughleaf dogwood, flameleaf sumac,

and rusty blackhaw viburnum.