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Texas Gardening

Suggestions for trees with leaves that will change color in early fall

6 years ago

I'm a midwesterner that has moved to Houston. I'm hoping to get suggestions as to trees that have leaves that will change color in early fall. I understand it takes most trees until November to change color.

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roselee z8b S.W. Texas

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I wonder if anyone grows the American smoke tree in Houston and can tell us how it does? In San Antonio it reliably turns bright yellow in fall.

It's a little past it's prime in this photo, but you can get the idea. A better picture of the leaves is on the link above.

The new leaves in spring are pinkish green. The blooms on mine are not all that showy, but the tree, with it's dark bark contrasting with the bright green foliage, is very attractive.

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Comments (13)

Miz_G
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Welcome to Texas! :)

For large shade trees, a few that have nice fall color:

Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii),

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

For smaller, understory trees:

Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) has ok fall color, but beautiful spring color, too.

Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) ditto spring/fall interest.

Hopefully, someone from Houston has more to add, or pro/con comments about my suggestions. These are my first thoughts, from visits there--I'm a few hours north of you. Definitely buy from a trusted local nursery, they can give the best advice.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Same as MizGG has listed but even then, things that are supposed to display fall color don't always. I suspect it has to do w/ the heat. The long flowering season almost makes up for little fall color. I burn a fall-type candle and daydream..,.
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Miz_G
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
So true, bossy! I should have said "...CAN have fall color." :) Some years, my trees are a riot of color, other years, not so much. Same here, re: candles. Love fall smells!

Also, OP, I can't believe I left out Crape Myrtle. For an ornamental tree (sizes can be from dwarf to over 25 ft, tree or shrub form), it's a gem. Lots of different colors, flowers during summer, and some have really nice fall color, too.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Some great ones already mentioned.

If you're in one of the piney woods (more acidic) areas, Blackgum/Tupelo and Flowering Dogwood can be good options for reliable reds.

Bald and the much narrower Pond Cypresses will give a reliable rust color in most parts of Houston. Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum can be trained as a small tree (~20ft) and gives great red color. Flameleaf sumac is another small one for reds. Cedar Elm gives reliable yellows in Dallas and have heard it does for some in Houston, too.

Some non-natives that may be worth a look are Shantung Maple ('Fire Dragon',...), Chinese Pistache ('Keith Davey'), and Ginkgo (male tree only).
PKponder TX Z7B
6 years ago
Cedar elms have a nice golden color, usually not until late October here north of you in the DFW area.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
have never seen it here. your pic is very nice. what is height at maturity?
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The American smoke tree pictured above is 8 ft tall, and as well as I can remember it's probably about 10/12 years old.

Edit: Since dear sweet hubby Bob was going that way I asked him to guestimate the height of tree between the side fence and the swing. After a while he came back in and proudly announced "Seven ft, eleven and a fourth inch." I thought "Hmmm, I would have guestimated it was much taller than that", but figured that he had gotten the tape measure to be sure.

Well, I just went out there and see that he measured the Satsuma which is indeed right behind the swing and about 8 ft tall. Since the American smoke tree is taller than the garage I'd guess it's about 14 ft.

I'm not going to tell him ... LOL
bossyvossy
6 years ago
nice
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
6 years ago
Bossy, the post right above your last one has been edited.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
Funny...... does your husband do shop work ?
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Mara, he's a pretty handy guy at building things especially since all his working career was spent at a desk.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
Measure twice, cut once.... Not the orange tree!!!!!!!!!

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