The start of fall kickstarts another planting season for Baltimore Tree Trust. A new season means new initiatives, and our goal is to reach 3,000 trees planted by the season’s end.

The immaculate fall vibes are approaching: cool, crisp air, hoodie season, holidays, and we’re ready to fully embrace it. 

That’s not all to be excited for this season. The beautiful fall foliage takes the honor of being our favorite feature. This is truly one of the best times of the year, as trees all over burst with bold shades of red, orange, and yellow.

As fall commences, we wanted to highlight some trees with beautiful fall colors to be on the lookout for.

Ginkgo

The Ginkgo is a beautiful tree, easily distinguishable by its fan-shaped leaves that turn a dazzling yellow in the fall. It’s able to tolerate urban conditions such as heat and air pollution. The Ginkgo is also one of the world’s oldest living tree species, dating back to over 250 million years ago – literally a living fossil!

American Sweetgum

Another easily recognizable tree, the American Sweet Gum has star-shaped leaves and green spiky fruit that turn brown in the fall. The American Sweetgum can boast shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple all on the same tree!

Red Maple

The Red Maple is sure to bring color all year round, from their popping red flowers in the spring to its brilliant red color in the fall. It is one of the most widely distributed trees along the east coast, so its beautiful color shouldn’t be difficult to find.

You don’t need to travel far to experience the foliage. Here are a couple local destinations to get you started:

Patterson Park

One of the most historic parks in Baltimore, Patterson Park provides over 130 acres of area to peruse and enjoy the changing colors.

Cylburn Arboretum

Self described as an “urban oasis”, the Cylburn Arboretum is truly a spectacle. Cylburn has over 3 miles of trails in addition to hundreds of tree species and beautiful gardens.

Enjoy!

blog post written by Marcus Tuah