October 12th, 2006

With fall colors nearly in distinction, I recently drove and hiked through Whitewater State Park near St. Charles. Orange, yellow, and red colors were plentiful, and I encourage you all to drive around to local parks and enjoy the colors before all the leaves fall. One of my favorites is the sugar maple, which is filled with a vibrant mixture of red, orange, and yellow. White birches dot the many bluffs and wooded areas, and the bark is striking amongst coniferous and other hardwood trees. Fall is also a great time to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride and hear the crunch of the leaves below you, see the squirrels harvesting, and scare up a deer or two. Whatever you may do in the fall, I invite you to surround yourself with the beautiful outdoors.

If you are not sure of what kinds of trees you see, grab a tree guide or bring in a few leaves and the staff at Sargent’s can identify the tree.

Look for some of these trees at the nursery to brighten up your yard:

‘Fall Fiesta’ Sugar Maple- Tolerates moist, well drained soil and dark green leaves turn a magnificent orange-red in the fall with a bit of yellow (pictured).

Pin Oak- Bright red fall color. Does best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Great boulevard tree.

River Birch- Grows 40-50 feet tall with an oval shape. Yellow fall color with attractive cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark.

Common Hackberry- Large, round tree with yellow fall color that adapts to the extremes of urban conditions, including drought and wind.

‘Greenspire’ Linden- Matures to 40-50 feet high and 30-35 feet wide with dark green foliage slowly turning to yellow in the fall. Great boulevard tree.

Wendy Jasper
Horticultural Advisor