Maple Trees Can Create A Wonderful Mass Of Fall Color
The Maple tree is one of the most beautiful trees in the fall season.
Many different trees make up the beautiful array of color tones
in the picture above. Different shades of reds, orange, and yellows
turn the normal summertime pattern of green into a sea of
enormous autumn splendor. There are so many varieties of Maple
trees around the world. These trees are known as shade or
ornamental trees. There is some misconception with this
as even though they are called shade trees, most of the
trees can tolerate full sun. They are called shade trees
as their major role is to provide shade for those warm summer
days.
Five of the most popular trees of this plant family are
the Sugar, Red, Silver, Red Japanese and Norway. Of
course we all know that one of the best rewards for
having these trees close by is the natural sweet flavor
of maple syrup. Below are brief descriptions of five of the
most popular Maples. I also wanted to show you some photos
from this area of fall foliage. The southeast and other
parts of the United States have been in severe drought this
year. Many of the leaves have fallen off the trees due to
the lack of rain. As you can see in the photos, the colors
aren't as vibrant as past years. The one close up of a few
leaves really shows the stress on the leaves this year.
Sugar - grows wonderful in zones three through
eight. It is considered an ornamental tree and can reach
heights of sixty to seven five feet. The width can range
from forty to fifty feet. In spring the leaves appear in the
normal green color and by fall they begin the transformation
into vivid reds, orange and yellow tones. The Sugar can take
sun or shade and likes the soil moist. Squirrels love to eat
the seeds.
Red - The Red is considered a shade tree. It
does well in zones three through nine and grows at a
medium to fast pace. The Red can reach get forty to
sixty feet high and thirty two feet or more wide. The
fall foliage provides us with beautiful red or yellow leaves.
This variety will grow in many different soil conditions.
Especially loves sandy, acid and clay base. The red will
benefit from wet conditions.
Silver - This is one of the fastest growing
Maple Trees. The Silver will do well in zones three is
through nine and reaches fifty to eighty feet in the
air. The width is thirty to forty feet. The leaves are
silver tones with a splash of white or cream color.
It is recommended to plant the Silver away from outdoor
structures such as driveways, walkways, or near foundations
as it has a massive root system.
Red Japanese - This is a favorite in zones five
through eight. Both the upright and the weeping provide
spectacular rich purple tones spring through fall. The upright
can reach twenty five feet high and twenty five feet wide.
The Al-sir-pall-MAY-tum will grow ten feet tall and ten
feet wide. The weeping will go five to six high and four
to five wide. Loves the morning sun and does well if
it gets some afternoon shade. Great specimen for
a focal point in a landscape garden.
Norway - has a one to two foot diameter.
The height can range from forty to fifty feet and can
go up to ninety feet. Loves full
sun but can take some shade. The fall foliage stays
green or turns to a striking yellow color. Loves moist
soil and is very drought tolerant as well as poor
drainage areas. The Norway is one of the most
adaptable trees of the plant family.
This is just a little description of five favorite
Maples. The photoS below will show you different
scenes taken from the North Carolina mountains about
5,000 or more feet up. This is the Laurel Creek area to
the Sam Knob area off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The clouds were on the
mountains for part of the morning hours. Notice how the
clouds accent the colors and the backdrop of the
clear blue sky is breathtaking above the trees. I hope
you can sit back and enjoy the view.
If you have any favorite landscape fall foliage pictures and would like to share them with us
feel free to go to show and tell headquarters and share your Maple or fall pictures.
Go ahead and take the time to go for a
drive and view your gorgeous fall foliage, or think about
planting some Maple trees in your landscape garden .
