I just ran across this thread. I am always interested in seeing and appreciating VV's examples of stately native trees in their fall finery. I thought I would post some pictures of my trees from this fall - a hodge-podge assortment acquired over the years. I think it's fair to say they are universally less stately than those VV showed, but may still be of interest to some.
I start with not-so-stately native Fagus grandiflora - mine is 20 years old and is still just 3 ft tall. Not a dwarf, just a reluctant grower, I guess. Here he is in the same flimsy deer-protection I fitted out for him 20 years ago.
Next is Acer triflorum. More notable for his fine bark texture, but his fall color isn't too shabby.
Dirca palustris is one of my favorite woodland shrubs. It sports a mellow yellow fall color. His main attribute is his super-early spring pendant yellow flowers.
A lesser-known Missouri native is Dirca decipiens. I only have a small specimen - can't really tell much difference yet.
Parrotia persica in my yard has a vibrant yellow fall color, but his cousin Parrotia subaequalis favors flashier fall colors.
It's hard to compete with Japanese maples for fall color. Among my finest are Acer japonicum Green Cascade.
Acer shirasawarum Palmatifolium
Acer palmatum Omurayama
Acer japonicum
Acer palmatum dissectum Waterfall
Acer palmatum Linearilobum
A lesser known maple is Acer pilosum var stenolobum
And Acer mono is a reliable brilliant yellow every fall
Pistacia chinensis is another reliable fall performer
Several woodland shrubs turn a vibrant yellow in fall.
Lindera benzoin.
It's cousin L. obtusiloba has more interesting shaped leaves.
Calycanthus florida
Cladrastis kentuckea
Lagerstroemia is red/yellow
Viburnum carlesii is mainly known for it's sweetly scented early spring flowers, but it sports burgundy leaves in fall to contrast with its purple berries.
Enkianthus perulatus turns bright red in fall.
Zelkova sinica is still a small sapling in my yard, but early indications suggest beautiful fall color.
An oddity, Sinowilsonia henryii is a shrub which isn't hardy in my zone, so has to overwinter in my garage. It's leaves turn a vibrant yellow in fall.
Sadly, most of the fall color is waning rapidly around my area. Time to shift focus to next spring!
