Best Leaves for Fall Color

Liquidambar

Maplelike leaves give this stout-trunked tree a lacy effect. Fall color varies by variety. L. styraciflua 'Palo Alto' has orange-red to bright red leaves. L. styraciflua 'Festival' turns yellow, peach, pink, orange, and red.

These trees have a moderate growth rate; young and middle-aged trees are generally upright and somewhat cone-shaped. Fruits are spiny balls that ornament trees in winter, need raking in spring. Grows well everywhere but the deserts.