Texans don't have to travel to New England to see spectacular color in the fall. Some of the richest colors I've seen in Texas occur right in northeast Texas. Most years the foliage turns from green into rich reds, oranges, maroons, and yellows from several different trees. Sweetgums, blackgums, sumac, dogwoods, flowering pears, Chinese pistache and many others provide a riot of color every year. Here are some special trees:
One tree that I have always admired is the prehistoric ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). There are a number of fine specimens of this slow-growing, pest resistant tree within the city limits of Tyler. Besides being a quality shade tree, the ginkgo has outstanding fall color - canary yellow. Also, unlike many trees that drop leaves one at a time over a 2 or 3 month period, a ginkgo will drop its yellow display all at once, literally over night, a nice trait for yard maintenance.
One of the most well-known trees in Texas is a ginkgo that graces the lawn of Tyler City Hall. It is known as the Hubbard Ginkgo, named after Governor Hubbard who obtained the tree in 1889 while ambassador in Japan and brought it back to Tyler, where he gave one to his friend who planted it on his property which was later sold to the city of Tyler. This centenarian has been stuck by lightning, but is still standing. It is now accompanied by two other fine specimen ginkgo trees on the north lawn.
Japanese maples are some of the finest ornamental trees in the world. They range in size from 5 foot dwarfs with exquisitely finely cut leaves, to small 25 foot trees - perfect for the smaller urban landscape. Many have wonderful spring color, and all are a knock out in the fall. There are hundreds of cultivars, most of them Japanese in origin. There are many, many fine specimens to be found in Tyler on both commercial and private properties. Under the guidance of the Smith County Extension Horticulture program, the Smith County Master Gardeners and the Tyler Men's Garden Club, are establishing a Japanese maple collection on the grounds of the Tyler Rose Garden. Over 20 varieties are represented, with new ones scheduled to be added yearly. One of the most extensive collections in the south can be found a short drive from Tyler at the Stephen F. Austin State University Arboretum in Nacogdoches, where over 80 named varieties can be seen.
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