So which trees put on the best show?

As the name suggests, the leaves fade to a rich red shade before they fall in winter.

With time, they may reach up to 70 feet in height and width.

Illustration showing trees with brilliant fall color

The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin

Unlike other honeylocust trees, it is thornless and seedless.

‘Sunburst’ grows to about 40 feet.

The classic paper birch displays bark with white color, while yellow birch offers an interesting golden bark.

Red oak tree with fall color.

Simon McGill / Getty Images

Other birches have a weeping form.

All of these trees display beautiful yellow leaves in autumn.

It has blackish fruits that are a favorite food of birds.

Sunburst honeylocust foilage

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Adding to the beauty of the fall color is the shininess of the leaves.

The finely lobed leaves of Japanese maple are especially attractive from a close distance.

This species is popular for Japanese garden designs and with aficionados of the art of bonsai.

Fall foliage of river birch tree

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

The leaves add gorgeous texture in the garden, as well as color.

Beech

Beech trees (Fagusspp.)

Beech trees grow to a mature height of 20 to 80 feet, depending on the variety.

Fall foliage of swamp tupelo tree.

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

It is aptly named, as thereddish-purple foliageis consistent throughout the summer.

Its fall color is an attractive greenish-bronze, making this a tree with excellent year-round interest.

This is a hybrid form of cherry that is somewhat short-lived, around 10 years as the typical lifespan.

Sugar maple tree with vibrant yellow and orange leaves in fall

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Dogwood

Dogwood trees (Cornusspp.)

Like black gum, dogwoods bear fruit that is eaten by wild birds.

Sumac

Among sumac tree (Rhusspp.

Japanese maple foilage

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Aggressive Spreader

Smooth sumac is a fast-grower that can spread aggressively unless supervised.

Being able to listen to and admire the sound is an added benefit to growing this plant.

The leaves add movement to the garden.

Shagbark hickory tree with bright yellow leaves in fall

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Quaking aspens also have an attractive, smooth whitish-colored bark that offers year-round interest.

The trees grow to 40 to 50 feet at maturity.

North Carolina State Extension.

Beech tree branches with orange-red leaves in fall

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Rhus glabra.North Carolina State Extension.

American Sweetgum tree branches with bright orange maple-like leaves

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry

D-Ozen / Getty Images

Dogwood tree branches with green-orange leaves in fall

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Sumac trees with green, yellow and bright orange leaves in fall

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Aspen fall foilage

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Virginia creeper vine with red and yellow leaves closeup