Every fall the days get shorter and trees across the country produce an unbelievable explosion of fiery hues. Though more prominent in different areas of the country, Phoenix still has its own unique take on autumn’s signature foliage with trees that thrive in the desert Southwest.
Planting these trees in your landscape will produce great fall color that will dazzle now, and, in some cases, put on a show in other seasons with spring flowers and interesting bark throughout the year.
Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful and easily maintained shade trees for the Southwest is the Chinese Pistache (or ‘Red Push’ Pistache). Known for its spectacular fall color shades of orange, red-orange and even crimson, the pistachio tree rivals the showy autumn colors of maples across the Northeast. It has quickly become one of the most reliable sources of fall color in Arizona.
The Fraxinus species, like the Arizona Ash, Raywood Ash, Berrinda Ash, and the Modesto Ash, are all fantastic options for fall color. The Raywood Ash takes on a gorgeous purple hue during the fall while the Modesto, Berrinda and Arizona produce a showy golden fall color. Ash trees are a favorite around Phoenix because they are very tolerant of our climate and are fairly low-maintenance.
The Purple Leaf Plum keeps its beautiful purple or crimson color throughout the year. This, however, does not make it any less of a contributor to the colors of fall. This purple beauty boasts fragrant pale pink flowers in the early spring and make for a great shade tree where desired.
This tree is at its most striking in the fall when its leaves turn yellow and clusters of showy, yellow pods cover the tips of branches. These clusters appear to cover the entire tree and absolutely dazzle in the fall twilight. This tree is great for just about any landscape in Phoenix as it is tolerant of drought and heat. The rounded crown and lacey leaves of the Golden Rain Tree add soft textures and great fall color.
Bradford Pear
The Bradford or ‘Flowering’ Pear is the most popular and fast growing ornamental tree in our nurseries. In the fall their dark green foliage turns to a rich golden-yellow that screams ‘Fall is Here!’ They really come to life in the spring as they cover themselves in clusters of white snowy flowers. This popular tree is a great addition to any size landscape and offers a double-dose of seasonal beauty.
All of these varieties have just arrived at our nurseries, fresh from our farms. Stop in today and speak with a certified nursery expert on the perfect fall tree for your yard.