All across the District, trees are showing off their gorgeous peak autumn colors. Look no further if you want to turn your yard into your own fall photoshoot destination! We’re here to guide you through our biggest, leafiest trees that will make your home POP for many autumns to come. Plus, check out our Fall Showstoppers of DC Map is a great resource for knowing where to find all your favorite trees this season!
Northern Red Oak – Quercus rubra
The red oak, considered a sentinel shade tree, has a strong and enduring form, striking dark bark, and beautiful red fall foliage with acorns prized by wildlife. Red oaks tend to grow slowly in urban soils, and once well-established can be expected to attain 40 feet in height in 40 years. This tree does best in full sun. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
Freeman Maple – Acer x freemanii
A hybrid of the red and silver maple, this fast grower combines the best attributes of both in a stately, adaptable shade tree. Exceptionally bright red fall color and vigorous growth are hallmarks of this popular and proven performer. Reaching a height of 40 feet in 30 to 40 years, the Freeman maple does best in full to partial sunlight. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
Swamp White Oak – Quercus bicolor
A favorite choice of professional arborists, the swamp white oak is a grand shade tree with distinct leaves that are a dark green color above while being silvery-white below. As its name suggests, it thrives in wet soil situations, but oddly enough, can also withstand drought. Swamp white oaks prefer full sun and will reach 40 feet in height in 50 years. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
Northern Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa
A showy medium-sized shade tree often known as “cigar trees,” catalpas are typically planted for its springtime show of large, white, orchid-shaped flowers from which develop slender, long green seedpods that darken and drop in fall. At home in most soils and moisture regimes, the catalpa is a tough urban tree. Catalpas will thrive in full sun to partial shade, and may attain 40 feet in height in 30 to 50 years. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
American Beech – Fagus grandifolia
The American beech is an iconic, sturdy shade tree with smooth, blue-hued bark. It produces small (beech) nuts in a showy pod that are valued by wildlife and visually unique. Its dark green leaves turn a beautiful yellow in fall. A slow grower, American Beech usually reaches 50’ tall and 30’ wide in about 50 years. Beech does well in shade or partial shade but can also be planted in full sun. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.
