Every year, millions of people look forward to autumn and the opportunity to take in the beautiful fall foliage (and I’m one of them). As the trees begin to change color and shed their leaves, “leaf peeping,” as some people call it, becomes a pastime for many.

Some people travel miles across the country each year to experience the beauty of the fall foliage. It is truly a spectacular time of year, but what if you could enjoy that beauty right in your own yard? In these times of high fuel cost and with concerns of air pollution from so many cars on the road doesn’t it make sense to develop fabulous fall colors in our own outdoor living space?

Now don’t get me wrong I love to travel and I love spending time in the great outdoors and relaxing. So I would not want to discourage you from doing the same but I also enjoy having that beauty all fall right where I can enjoy it in my back yard without having to travel.

Fall colors are provided by trees, shrubs and vines, and often are a combination of orange, yellow, and red. To get the colors you are looking for in your yard you must plan and plant ahead. Beyond fall foliage colors, you should also consider any colorful berries that plants produce.

Red oak, red tooth maple, crepe myrtle and sweet gum trees will have beautiful pigmentation every fall. Trees such as elm and cottonwood also fit into this category. Red and orange are observed among mixed stands of red and sugar maple with Autumn Blaze Maple being the best red-colored maple. Growing to 40 feet tall, it is an excellent shade tree in summer and suffers little or no wind damage. Yellows are becoming more prominent in trees including green ash, honey locust and some hickories. The trees with the most vibrant colors include hickories, sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweet gum and red maple.

Trees need cool temperatures to degrade the chlorophyll in their leaves which reveals their vibrant colors as the trees and plants prepares for winter. You may have also noticed autumn colors are more vivid some years over others. This is due to weather conditions. Ideal conditions for intense fall color are extended periods of dry, cool, clear weather with plenty of sunlight and no early severe frost.

Fall is the best time to plant a tree or two in your yard, so among the other considerations (size, type and purpose) visualize the autumn colors in your mind when you go out to purchase the trees for your yard.

There are many things that make the fall season special; cooler temperatures, a freshness in the air, and the delightful smells of fall’ but one that every one loves is a fall wedding. My wife and I got married in a city park on an absolutely wonderful day in October several years ago this weekend. The autumn colors are rich and vibrant and provide a brilliant backdrop for an outdoor wedding.

Autumn colors are fabulous so take some time this weekend and relax in maybe a classic teak steamer chair or the chair of your choice and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Continually developing “Ideas for Outdoor Living”

1. King Richards Says:
   October 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am

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2. Gwen Says:
   February 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm

   I know I’m reading this at the wrong time of year but i like what you have to say and the pictures

3. Samson Says:
   March 26th, 2009 at 2:55 am

   Thanks

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4. Pabowl Says:
   May 4th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

   I love the fall, it is my favorite time of year.

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