Beautiful Types Of Trees You Can Plant In The Fall With Less Maintenance

Fall can be the perfect season for planting trees, as cooler weather and increased rainfall provide ideal conditions for strong root development. If you want to add some beauty to your landscape without the hassle of constant upkeep, many tree species do really well when planted during autumn and require minimal maintenance, including some varieties of Japanese maples, serviceberry trees, Eastern redbuds, and sweetgum. 

Famous for its vibrant fall foliage and a classic favorite for fall planting is the Acer palmatum 'Japanese maple.' With leaves that transform from green into beautiful shades of red, orange, and gold, there are many varieties of Japanese maple, including the popular 'Bloodgood' variety, which is the perfect addition to your landscape with its bright crimson-colored leaves. These trees prefer partial shade and well-draining soil. Once they are established, they require barely any attention. They are also relatively drought-tolerant, so they don't need to be constantly watered or pruned.

Known as shadbush or juneberry, the Amelanchier canadensis 'Serviceberry tree' also has something different to offer in every season. In the spring, the tree produces small white flowers, followed by purple berries in the summer. These berries are edible, and birds and wildlife love them, so get out your field guide! Serviceberries are incredibly versatile, and they can thrive in various soil types. You can plant them in the fall or spring. Once they are established, they only need very minimal watering and care.

If you want a tree that you can plant in the fall, and by spring, it's ready to put on a spectacular show, the Cercis canadensis 'Eastern redbud' is a great choice. Its pinkish-purple blooms will brighten up your yard as everything else is just waking up after winter. Fall is the ideal time to plant redbuds because they establish their roots more easily in cooler temperatures. Redbuds are most successfully grown in well-drained soil and tolerate both sun and partial shade. Once they are established, they are drought-tolerant and require very minimal maintenance.

For a burst of color in the fall, the Liquidambar styraciflua 'Sweetgum' tree is also a real showstopper. Its star-shaped leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple during autumn. One thing to keep in mind is that some sweetgum varieties produce spiky seed balls, but cultivars like 'Rotundiloba' are fruitless, making them much easier to maintain. These trees thrive in full sun and are highly adaptable to various soil conditions. While a young sweetgum tree needs a bit of watering while it's growing, once it's established, it's very drought-resistant and requires basically no maintenance.