SUBURBAN AUTUMN LEAVES

     While driving through suburban areas of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in October into November, I've noticed that the colored leaves of sugar maples and red maples, and burning bushes, dominate autumn foliage in those suburbs.  Those woody plants are abundantly introduced to lawns, partly for their beautifully-warm, fall leaf colors that lift human spirits.  And I've noted that those lovely, red and orange colors are accentuated by the evergreen needles of tall white pines and Norway spruces that are also planted commonly on lawns for their beauties.  The contrast of those trees' colors make beautiful scenery in our suburbs in fall.        

     The maples are native to northeastern North American woodlands, where their brightly-colored, autumn foliage dominates those woods.  But burning bushes have been introduced from northeastern Asia for their beauties.  

     Sugar maples' leaves generally are a unique shade of orange, but some trees of this kind have yellow foliage in October.  This maple's autumn leaves dominates many forests, and the suburbs they were commonly planted in, brightening both habitats.   

     Sugar maples are THEE maples from which pure maple syrup and candy are made, although other kinds of maples and birches, with a lesser percentage of sugar in them, can also be used.  

     Red maples usually have red foliage in fall, but some red maples have a percentage of yellow leaves.  Red maples tolerate a diversity of habitats, but seem to thrive best in constantly moist soil.

     Older, larger sugar maples and red maples have cavities where wind ripped limbs off the trees.  Barred owls, wood ducks, chickadees, raccoons, squirrels and other critters live and raise young in those hollows, whether in woods or the suburbs.   

     Burning bushes are commonly planted on lawns because they have strikingly bright-red foliage in October, into November.  They are a stunning understory shrub in fall, particularly when planted in clumps or rows.  

     Watch for these glorious trees and shrubs in woods and suburbs during October and into November.  Their beauties are breathtaking and inspiring.   

     

     

            

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