The Best Trees for Fall Color in Northwest Arkansas

There’s a special kind of magic in the Ozarks when fall arrives. The air turns crisp, the mornings feel quieter, and the landscape explodes with color. Want your yard to light up with color, too? We’re here to help! Whether you’re new to gardening or just looking to add a new focal point this season, fall is a great time to plan (& plant!) for a colorful show.

At Westwood Gardens, we’ve helped Northwest Arkansas gardeners build beautiful seasonal landscapes for decades. Here’s what we’ve learned about which trees bring the best fall color—and why.

Trees with Red Leaves

Red is bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. If you're after show-stopping fall color that adds drama and warmth to your landscape, red-leaved trees are the way to go.

Local favorites include:

• October Glory & Autumn Blaze Maples – Some of the first to change color, these turn vibrant red in early to mid-fall.
  
  
• Scarlet, Southern Red & Shumard Oaks – Majestic trees that deliver deep red hues and hold their color late into the season.
  
  
• Bloodgood & Emperor 1 Japanese Maples – Their finely cut leaves catch the light and glow in shades of scarlet and ruby.
  
  
• Kousa & Midwinter Fire Dogwoods – In addition to white or pink spring blooms, dogwoods often put on a stunning deep red fall display.
  
  
• Blackgum (Tupelo) – An underused native that turns brilliant crimson and supports pollinators and wildlife.
  
  

Westwood tip: Red foliage pairs beautifully with evergreens and stone hardscapes for contrast. 

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Trees with Yellow Leaves

Yellow trees bring sunshine and cheer into even the gloomiest fall days. Their bright color stands out beautifully in shaded or wooded areas.

Best bets for NWA gardens:

• Ginkgos – Fan-shaped leaves turn a golden yellow and drop nearly all at once, making cleanup easy.
  
  
• Legacy Sugar Maples – This variety leans more golden than red.
  
  
• Honey Locust – Dappled light filters through these golden leaves, making them perfect for yards needing light shade.
  
  
• Katsura & Full Moon Aureum Japanese Maples – Less common than the red and orange varieties with a beautiful golden glow.
  
  
• Hickory and Yellow Birch – Both offer strong golden hues and thrive in our region.
  
  

Westwood tip: Plant yellow trees near darker evergreens or red-toned foliage for maximum visual pop.

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Trees with Orange Leaves

Orange is the classic color of fall - warm, cozy, and full of personality. Trees with orange foliage tend to stand out and carry a timeless seasonal vibe.

Top picks for our climate:

• Fall Fiesta & Bonfire Sugar Maples – Deliver long-lasting orange tones and consistent fall performance.
  
  
• Kwanzan Cherry Trees – Known for spring flowers but offer a strong orange transition in autumn.
  
  
• Chinese Pistache – Low maintenance, drought tolerant, and one of the most consistent fall-color performers year to year.
  
  
• Autumn Moon Japanese Maples – Some varieties shift from red to orange, especially in part sun locations.
  
  

Westwood tip: Orange leaves glow in morning light. Plant them where they will catch the sunrise, if you can.

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Trees with Maroon Leaves

Deep maroon and burgundy tones bring an elegant, moody richness to your fall landscape. These trees provide depth and balance when paired with brighter colors.

Try these in your fall landscape:

• Cherokee Chief & Celestial Dogwoods – Depending on variety, they can lean toward rich red or maroon in fall.
  
  
• Sweetgum – Unpredictable but stunning, with individual trees showing red, yellow, and maroon all at once.
  
  
• Merlot Maples – These smaller trees are ideal for tight spaces and ornamental beds.
  
  
• Purple Ash – An under-the-radar option with bold maroon fall color.
  
  

Westwood tip: Maroon trees look especially striking in garden beds with lighter fall perennials like asters, ornamental grasses, or sedum.

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How to Select the Right Colors for Your Yard

Fall color works best when it’s intentional. Consider mixing different leaf colors to create depth, contrast, and seasonal movement. Just like a painter layers colors for richness, planting a variety of trees with reds, oranges, yellows, and maroons will bring your landscape to life, especially as sunlight shifts throughout the day.

But it’s not just about color. You can also extend the fall season by mixing trees that reach peak color at different times.Some trees change early (late September to early October), while others hold onto their leaves well into November. That means your landscape evolves week by week—instead of turning all at once and dropping overnight.

• Early-turners: Red Maples, Dogwoods, and Blackgum bring the first wave of color in early fall.
  
  
• Mid-season stars: Sugar Maples and Chinese Pistache peak around mid-October with fiery oranges and bold reds.
  
  
• Late-season finishers: Shumard Oaks, Sweetgums, and Ginkgos hold their color into November, adding brightness even after other trees are bare.
  
  

Sample Tree Pairings for Lasting Fall Color

Here are a few of our favorite combinations to keep the color going all season long in your yard.

• Bold & Fiery: Chinese Pistache (mid-season orange-red) + Shumard Oak (late-season deep red). Use this combo for a big visual impact in open backyards or as anchor trees.
  
  
• Bright & Elegant: Ginkgo (late-season gold) + Japanese Maple (mid-season scarlet or orange). Beautiful near entryways or patios where you can enjoy their color up close.
  
  
• Natural & Native: Blackgum (early crimson) + Sweetgum (late-season mix of maroon, yellow, and red). Adds wildlife value and native beauty to larger or naturalized landscapes.

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Final Thoughts: Plan Now, Plant for Tomorrow

Stunning Fall color doesn’t happen by accident! Whether you’re building a new landscape or just looking to add a single tree with show-stopping color, we’re here to help.

Stop by one of our four locations this week to explore our collection of fall trees (spoiler: the tree yard looks amazing right now!). We’d love to help you find the perfect fit for your yard.

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