When fall gets into full swing and the leaves begin turning vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, you may be wishing you had some beautiful foliage outside your house. For a few weeks each year, this brilliant display of colors is always a highlight of the season that you can look forward to before winter begins. In general, adding a few trees to your property can increase curb appeal and privacy, as well as the value of your home. But if you’re specifically looking to maximize the foliage, here are some of the best trees to plant in your yard.
Red Maple
The red maple is a perfect choice if you want shade in the summertime and vivid colors in the fall. Growing up to 100 feet tall, these towering trees can survive in a wide range of soil types, which is why they’re among the most abundant in North America. They also do particularly well in urban environments as long as there’s enough space for their roots.
Quaking Aspen
As one of the most widely distributed trees on the continent, the Quaking Aspen can survive in a variety of climates. In fact, it’s bright yellow and gold leaves can be found from Canada, across the U.S. and as far south as Mexico. Frankly, there’s nothing as striking as a grove of Aspen’s in the fall.
Dogwood
With lovely white blossoms in the spring and shades ranging from yellow to purple in the fall, the dogwood tree can add natural beauty to the exterior of your home all year round. While they typically only grow up to 30 feet tall, they have a particularly wide spread and will often attract birds.
Sweetgum
A champion of fall foliage with its deep, glossy leaves, the sweetgum tree can survive in warm temperate and subtropical climates. Growing over 100 feet in height, they are also regarded as an effective solution to controlling erosion or sheltering your home from excessive wind.