Another Look at Trees for Fall Color

(Editor’s note: In last month’s newsletter I included an article on trees for Fall color written by John Hunt which appeared in the newsletter for the First Men’s Garden Club of Dallas. Although John’s tree choices may be appropriate for the Dallas area, David Will, a life member from our club, sent me an e-mail raising concerns about the appropriateness of most of the trees for central Texas, especially the Hill Country. Here is a slightly edited version of his comments)

I spend time twice a year teaching continuing education classes in New Braunfels and most of the selection of trees mentioned for fall color is a list of invasive and weak plants not suited for the Hill Country.

Please let members know that Bigtooth Maple, Cedar Elm and Bald Cypress are the only trees on that list that can give fall color without being a plague on the environment. The male Ginkgo is somewhat suitable, but like most fast growing trees can become a pest to take down in a few short years should it die. The maples listed (except the Bigtooth) are very susceptible to borers and require soil supplements to sustain long life. The Texas Red Oak (Q. buckleyi or Q texana) is not very reliable in fall color, but is a good shade tree. The other trees listed are weak wooded, require soil supplementation to keep them green or are not inviting to native birds and wildlife.

Plants that give reliable fall color for Austin and surrounding areas include Big Tooth Maple, Cedar Elm, flame sumac, rusty blackhaw viburnum, American smoke tree, rough-leaf dogwood, Montezuma cypress, Mexican buckeye, Mexican plum and all walnut trees. Trees with good fall color, but not as reliable include bald cypress, pecan, Texas redbud, anaqua, Texas ash, sycamore, Blanco crabapple, Lacey oak, Graves oak, Durand Oak, chinquapin oak, Vasey oak, post oak, Eve’s necklace, and American elm. I may have skipped a few good fall color trees, but the reliable fall color trees give me great color every year. My favorite is the Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum as it turns Aggie Maroon. In addition, the ones I mentioned attract beneficial insects, native song birds (as opposed to non-native birds like sparrows, etc.), and other desirable wildlife.

I always look forward to the newsletter and miss you guys. Living in New Braunfels is great, but I miss the fellowship and fun from my days in Austin with the Men’s Garden Club. I usually have a hard time finding a day when I can make a meeting. However if you ever need an article for the newsletter, I shall be glad to provide you with one.

Thanks for your hard work,
David E. Will, Life Member