So you want tree color in The Woodlands Texas - Fall Color Ratings

Color generally means hardwood and decorative species, but let's make it deciduous native trees as our focus. Color is not only possible here, it is very achievable with the right mixture of trees. We have many natives and should use them wherever possible to maintain the ecological relationships about us. Let's view some of the trees in our neighborhoods and parks as examples to plant for color. These are but a sampling. I hope to add more as I have time. Note that photographs are captioned beneath the photo. Click on the photo to see a larger view.



A sampling from leaves picked up off the ground underneath those trees having color.



Yaupon provides the red berries for a festive season. This year, the squirrels are more into berries. This may be a fallout from the loss of so many acorns and pine cones. Bit for sure, this small tree add much color to our neighborhoods in the fall and winter. A 10 on my fall color scale.


The Sycamore provides varying color depending on the location in the sun. This one is surrounded by trees and gets less sun and less exposure to frost than some of the trees out in the open. A 6 on my Fall color scale color scale.



Sycamore



Redbud. This magnificent tree shows off its color each Spring and Fall. A 8 on my Fall color scale.



Bald Cypress. Although the color is not bright, it is uniform and showy. A 9 on my Fall color scale.



River Birch. With it ornate bark and lively yellow colors, this tree is one of my own favorites. A 9 on my Fall color scale.



Shumard Oak. A 10 on my fall color scale.



Pecan. Spectacular yellows are found in the forest with this tree. It's dramatic yellow leaves contrast to the deep green of the forest. A 10 on my fall color scale.

One of the most beautiful missing here.

The problem we face these days is the public admiration of our beautiful outlawed tree, public enemy number one, the Chinese Tallow. This invasive tree, we often love, is not presented as an alternative for planting. See the related article in this blog.