The Best Trees and Shrubs for Vibrant Orange Fall Colors

As the growing season comes to an end, trees and shrubs offer a stunning display of fall foliage with vibrant, colorful leaves, particularly in shades of orange. From tall shade trees to compact shrubs, there are numerous species that provide warm tones of amber, fiery orange, and pumpkin hues to close out the season. The intensity of these autumn colors is influenced by environmental factors such as soil quality, regional temperatures, and sunlight exposure.

To gather ideas and inspiration for your own garden, take a look around your neighborhood, local parks, and municipal plantings. Observing what thrives in your area can help you select the right plants for creating your own autumn display.

Let’s explore some of the best trees and shrubs that showcase outstanding orange fall colors:

13 Trees and Shrubs with Stunning Orange Foliage

Table of Contents

American Sweetgum
Black Chokeberry
Black Gum
Flameleaf Sumac
Fothergilla
Japanese Maple
Japanese Persimmon
Red Sunset Maple
Serviceberry
Shumard Oak
Smoketree
Spirea
Sugar Maple

1. American Sweetgum

American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a popular ornamental tree native to temperate regions of North America, Mexico, and Central America. It features star-shaped glossy green leaves that transform into a palette of burgundy, orange, purple, scarlet, and yellow during the fall. This tree is also known for its spiny seed pods that attract various wildlife.

Shape: Pyramid, reaching 60 to 75 feet high and 40 to 50 feet wide.
Zones: 5 to 9.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

2. Black Chokeberry

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a rugged shrub native to eastern North America, known for its ornamental interest throughout the seasons. The ‘Viking’ cultivar produces white flowers followed by nutritious black berries and stunning fall colors ranging from deep burgundy to brilliant orange and purple.

Form: Upright clump, three to six feet tall and wide.
Zones: 3 to 9.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

3. Black Gum

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is a shade tree native to eastern North America, also known as black tupelo or sour gum. The ‘Wildfire’ cultivar offers striking ruby-red foliage that matures into a mix of pumpkin orange, purple, scarlet, and yellow in the fall, attracting pollinators and wildlife.

Shape: Pyramidal to round, 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide.
Zones: 4 to 9.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #2 and #3 containers.

4. Flameleaf Sumac

Flameleaf sumac (Rhus copallinum) is a native North American tree with fiery orange and red fall foliage. This species produces white flowers in summer, attracting pollinators, and serves as a winter food source for songbirds with its reddish-brown berries.

Growth Habit: Open and spreading, six to 12 feet high and 10 to 20 feet wide.
Zones: 4 to 9.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

5. Fothergilla

Fothergilla (Fothergilla major) is a fragrant shrub with white flowers in spring. The ‘Mount Airy’ cultivar showcases gold, orange, and reddish-purple foliage in the fall, making it an attractive specimen plant.

Shape: Upright, five to six feet tall and four to five feet wide.
Zones: 5 to 10.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery.

6. Japanese Maple

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is known for its delicate leaves and weeping form. The ‘Orangeola’ cultivar offers vivid colors, transitioning from flaming red to green and maroon in summer, and finishing with fiery orange in the fall.

Height: Six to 10 feet.
Zones: 5 to 9.
Available at: Planting Tree.

7. Japanese Persimmon

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’) features fragrant white blossoms and bright orange fruit. The foliage transitions from lime green in summer to brilliant orange and red in the fall, creating a striking display.

Profile: Open, 18 to 20 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide.
Zones: 7 to 10.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #3 and #5 containers.

8. Red Sunset Maple

Red sunset maple (Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’) is a fast-growing cultivar with vibrant orange-red foliage in the fall. This tree features shiny green leaves and a symmetrical pyramidal shape, making it a beautiful shade tree.

Size: 40 to 60 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide.
Zones: 4 to 8.
Available at: Planting Tree.

9. Serviceberry

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a large fruit tree with pink buds in spring and purple to black berries in early summer. The ‘Autumn Brilliance’ hybrid offers luminous amber, orange, and ruby red fall colors.

Growth: Open and rounded, 20 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide.
Zones: 3 to 9.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery.

10. Shumard Oak

Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) is a tall and stately tree with deep orange-red fall colors. Providing shade and acorns for wildlife, this tree reaches 75 to 90 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide.

Adaptability: Urban and landscape.
Zones: 5 to 9.
Available at: FastGrowingTrees.com.

11. Smoketree

Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is a whimsical shrub with coral orange, lemon yellow, and raspberry fall foliage. This small tree attracts numerous bird species and thrives in Zones 4 to 8.

Size: 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide.
Available at: Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

12. Spirea

Spirea japonica ‘Little Princess’ is a versatile shrub with coppery orange fall foliage. This small plant blooms pink flowers in late spring and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

Height: Two to three feet tall and four to five feet wide.
Available at: Planting Tree.

13. Sugar Maple

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a classic tree with vibrant shades of burnt orange, red, and yellow in the fall. A beautiful shade tree, it reaches 60 to 75 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide.

Zones: 3 to 8.
Available at: FastGrowingTrees.com.

Brighten Your Landscape with Orange Fall Colors

From towering oaks to compact shrubs, these trees and shrubs offer a colorful finale to the season with their bright orange foliage. Whether you’re looking for a shade tree, a fruit tree, or a compact ornamental plant, there’s a variety to suit your garden needs.

These plants not only enhance your landscape with vibrant autumn colors but also provide essential food sources for wildlife. Choose species that suit your space and enjoy the beauty of fall leaves throughout the season.

What are your favorite trees and shrubs for vibrant fall colors? Share your top picks in the comments below.

For more insights into growing landscape trees, check out these informative guides: