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Numerous trees are adorned with intense foliage colors in autumn. Red, yellow and orange are the leaves of 20 species that are presented in this article.

In a nutshell

  • the most common fall colors include yellow, orange, and red
  • Depending on the tree species, other discolorations such as a brownish or violet red can appear
  • the foliage of younger specimens is not as intensely colored in autumn as that of older trees

Red autumn colours: 9 species

Mountain cherry (Prunus sargentii)

  • scarlet autumn color, rarely bright yellow with orange tones
  • Growth height: 600 cm to 2,500 cm
  • Growth width: 600 cm to 1,200 cm
  • Space requirement: 300 cm
  • Full sun, not near the road, deep, loose, well-drained
  • ideal solitary tree
  • blooms a lovely pink (April)

European beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea)

  • dark red to orange-brown
  • Growth height: up to 4,000 cm
  • Growth width: up to 3,500 cm
  • Space requirement: 1,000 cm
  • sunny to shady, sandy, fresh, loamy, moist, calcareous
  • can live up to 200 years
  • Beechnuts serve as bird food

Japanese maple (Acer japonicum)

  • fiery red, burgundy, cardinal red, more rarely orange-red
  • Growth height: up to 1,000 cm
  • Growth width: 500 cm to 600 cm
  • Space requirement: 500 cm
  • sunny, humic, well-drained, fresh, loose, not too chalky
  • decorative leaf shape
  • ideal solitary tree

Purple alder (Alnus spaethii)

Source: Katja Schulz from Washington, D.C., USA, Alder (31075683965), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • red with a touch of violet
  • Growth height: 1,200 cm to 1,600 cm
  • Growth width: 800 cm to 1,200 cm
  • Space requirement: 600 cm
  • sunny to semi-shady, loamy, sandy, otherwise undemanding
  • urban climate festival
  • Krone grows in an attractive pyramid shape

Red maple (Acer rubrum)

  • from bright yellow (beginning) to a flaming red
  • Growth height: 1,000 cm to 1,500 cm
  • Growth width: up to 1,000 cm
  • Required space: 500 cm to 1,000 cm
  • sunny, nutritious, fresh and humid
  • open spaces are preferred
  • Available in numerous varieties with other shades of red
  • ideal as a solitaire or in small groups

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)

Source: Katja Schulz from Washington, D.C., USA, Scarlet Oak (31193582651), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • intense scarlet red foliage
  • Growth height: up to 2,500 cm
  • Growth width: 800 cm to 1,500 cm
  • Space required: up to 1,000 cm
  • sunny to light shade, tolerates road salt, undemanding, normally moist soil is ideal
  • urban climate festival
  • should not be overlaid

Swamp Oak (Quercus palustris)

Source: Rmccrea, Pin Oak Leaves, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • intense red with orange or brown tones
  • Growth height: up to 2,500 cm
  • Growth width: 1,000 cm to 1,500 cm
  • Required space: 500 cm to 1,000 cm
  • sunny to semi-shady, moderately dry to moist, fresh, loamy, sandy-loamy, tolerates little lime
  • decorative leaf shape
  • it can be underplanted

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

  • reddish yellow, shades of red with various shades of orange, more rarely golden yellow
  • Growth height: 500 cm to 1,200 cm
  • Growth width: 350 cm to 600 cm
  • Space requirement: 300 cm to 500 cm
  • Sunny to semi-shady, undemanding, loose, nutritious, humic
  • Berries serve as bird food
  • Berries can be further processed (e.g. jam)

Forest tupelo tree (Nyssa sylvatica)

  • intense foliage color in orange to cardinal red
  • Growth height: 1,000 cm to 2,000 cm
  • Growth width: up to 1,200 cm
  • Space required: up to 600 cm
  • sunny to semi-shady, nutritious, well-drained, acidic, fresh, moist, avoids lime
  • urban climate festival
  • suitable for planting near water
  • ideal solitary tree

Intense foliage colour: 3 types in orange

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

  • appealing orange with soft red tones
  • Growth height: 500 cm to 800 cm
  • Growth width: up to 700 cm
  • Space requirement: 300 cm
  • Full sun, semi-shade is tolerated, prefers open spaces, sheltered from the wind, loose, sandy, humic, well-drained
  • slow growth
  • Due to its size, it is suitable for Asian or Japanese garden concepts

Copper Pear (Amelanchier lamarckii)

  • primarily intense orange or orange-red, more rarely brownish red or violet
  • Growth height: up to 800 cm
  • Growth width: up to 800 cm
  • Space requirement: 400 cm
  • Sunny to shady, undemanding, well-drained, sandy, slightly acidic
  • grows as a tree or shrub
  • Berries serve as bird food

Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica)

Source: A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace), Botanical Garden Berlin-Dahlem 10-2014 photo13 Parrotia persica, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • intensive foliage coloring in deep orange
  • Growth height: 1,000 cm to 3,000 cm
  • Growth width: over 1,000 cm (strongly dependent on location)
  • Space requirement: from 500 cm
  • Sunny to light shade, protect from direct midday sun, undemanding, normal
  • can be easily cultivated as a standard
  • ideal solitary tree
  • disease resistant

Notice: Depending on the location and care, the leaf color of the ironwood can be yellow or red. Rarely, it even presents itself in purple.

8 trees with yellow autumn colors

American yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)

Source: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Cladrastis kentukea Strączyn żółty 2022-10-15 04, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • bright golden yellow
  • Growth height: 500 cm to 1,000 cm
  • Growth width: 500 cm to 800 cm
  • Space requirement: 300 cm
  • sunny to half-shady, deep, normal
  • attracts bees

Antarctic beech (Nothofagus antarctica)

Source: hernan reyes, Nothofagus antarctica 001, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • strong yellow, golden yellow
  • Growth height: up to 3,500 cm
  • Growth width: 300 cm to 700 cm
  • Space requirement: from 500 cm
  • Sunny to semi-shady, sheltered from the wind, normal, fresh, sour, nutritious, loose
  • smells gently of cinnamon

Birches (Betula)

  • yellow
  • Growth height, width and space requirements depend on the species
  • full sun, otherwise very undemanding to the location
  • classic house tree
  • conspicuous white bark, darkly interrupted
  • lives "only" about 100 to 120 years

Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis)

  • soft golden yellow
  • Growth height: up to 800 cm
  • Growth width: 200 cm to 350 cm
  • Space required: from 200 cm
  • sunny to semi-shady, humic, fresh and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to acidic
  • blooms golden yellow from January to the end of March

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

  • cream to golden yellow, more rarely dark yellow
  • Growth height: up to 3,000 cm
  • Growth width: 1,000 cm to 1,600 cm
  • Required space: 600 cm to 1,000 cm
  • sunny to semi-shady, very adaptable, loamy, nutritious
  • only female trees produce fruit
  • considered a living fossil

Tip: If you choose a ginkgo, be sure to plant a male specimen. Ginkgo fruits on female trees smell of butyric acid.

Japanese Golden Maple 'Aureum' (Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum')

  • magnificent golden yellow, rarely rich orange
  • Growth height: 200 cm to 500 cm
  • Growth width: 200 cm to 400 cm
  • Space requirement: 200 cm
  • partially shaded, tolerates shade, well-drained, humus-rich, undemanding
  • elegant dwarf tree
  • ideal for Asian or Japanese garden concepts

Japanese cake tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

  • light yellow, markings in orange-red
  • Growth height: 800 cm to 1,200 cm
  • Growth width: up to 700 cm
  • Space requirement: 300 cm
  • sunny to shady, protected, rich in nutrients, deep, fresh, prefers acidic soil
  • smells pleasantly of cake, gingerbread or caramel

Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

  • yellow, reminiscent of sunflowers or golden yellow flowers
  • Growth height: 2,500 cm to 6,000 cm
  • Growth width: 1,500 cm to 2,000 cm
  • Space required: from 1,000 cm
  • sunny, rich in nutrients, profound, fresh and moist
  • ideal for large gardens
  • forms tulip-shaped, sulfur-green flowers (mid-April to late June)

frequently asked Questions

What does the term Indian Summer mean?

Indian Summer is to be understood as the North American variant of the golden autumn. In the USA and Canada, the term describes the intensive coloring of the foliage of the deciduous trees native there from September to November, which is related to the local weather conditions. In recent years, the term has established itself as a marketing strategy.

Can the autumn colors of the trees be enhanced?

Yes, there are a variety of measures for this purpose. In order to increase the color intensity, the location must not be too dark and have sun every day. Wind-protected and dry locations also intensify the autumn colours. Also, fertilize very sparingly late in the year.

Are there any conifers whose needles change color in autumn?

One of the best-known examples is the European larch (Larix decidua). Their needles turn from a dark green to a golden yellow in autumn. In addition to the larches, some pine species (Pinus) and the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) present colored needles in autumn.

Are there trees that present themselves in multiple colors over the fall?

Yes, few species have a distinct range of colors that can vary in intensity from year to year. The sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) from North America is particularly popular. During the autumn, the color of the leaves changes from yellow to orange to a rich red. Depending on the location and care, the intense color of the leaves can even be purple. Multicolored leaves are possible.

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Garden plants