The colors of autumn are especially beautiful this year. Tree leaves are turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and even purple.

Want fall color in your landscape next year?

Read about the trees you've noticed around town that are currently “popping” with color. And, if you plant a tree now (or in early spring), you can have fall color in your landscape next year! Here are some excellent tree species to choose from that thrive in our area (USDA Zone 9b):

Chinese Pistache – Pistachia chinensis

The Chinese pistache is Ed Perry's favorite tree. Ed was the Environmental Horticulture Advisor for over 35 years at UC Cooperative Extension in Stanislaus County. He chose this tree not only for its fall color, but because it produces good shade and has “well-behaved” roots. Opt for the male cultivar ‘Keith Davey.' Female cultivars have colorful berries which although pretty, are considered messy and not suitable for over a patio.  

Height: 30-50'
Light needs: Plant in full sun.
Water needs: Moderate. Does well in lawns.
Note: You can't go wrong with this tree! Also, it is not closely related to the nut bearing pistachio tree.

Maple Trees – Acer rubrum

Cultivars like ‘October Glory' or those with the name ‘Autumn' in their title promise fall colors. Suitable to plant near sidewalks, these trees also have well-behaved roots that aren't disruptive to infrastructure. Just remember, this tree needs to be watered regularly in summer, otherwise the edges of the leaves will turn brown.

Light needs: Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Height: 40-50'
Water needs: Regular water. Does well in lawns, but water separately from the lawn.
Note: Sprinkler water will not be enough for this tree.

Bradford Flowering Pear – Prunus calleryana ‘Bradford'

This flowering pear has cheerful white blooms in spring and produce fall color during cool winters. Their roots are well-behaved so they can be planted near sidewalk. Please note, many cultivars of flowering pear have problems such as mistletoe and fireblight. Make sure you choose a Bradford pear. After bloom, this tree does drop small fruits that are messy.

Height: 40-50'
Light needs: Plant in full sun.
Water needs: Moderate. Does well in lawns.
Note: although bred to be fruitless, the Bradford pear cross pollinates with other pears which is why it produces inedible “fruit.”

Japanese Maple Trees – Acer palmatum

If you have a partially shady spot and want a small tree, Japanese maples make a great choice. Tree leaf and bark color varies among the hundreds of cultivars available. ‘Burgandy' has purple leaves, ‘Sango Kaku' has coral-colored bark, and ‘Aoyagi' has bright green bark.

Light needs: Plant in partial shade, some species (‘Emperor One') are adapted to full sun.
Height: 6-20', varies. Do some research before choosing your tree.
Water needs: Regular water.
Note: This tree can give year-round interest!

Ginkgo – Ginkgo biloba

This ancient tree existed long before dinosaurs roamed the earth. In fact, fossils of gingko leaves have been discovered from the Jurassic period! Ginkgo trees leaves turn a beautiful golden color in fall. Choose a male cultivar such as ‘Saratoga' or ‘Autumn Gold.' Female cultivars produce fruit that some people consider unpleasant.

Light needs: Plant in full sun.
Height: 30-50.'
Water needs: Moderate water; can tolerate drought but won't look healthy.
Note: Excellent street or patio tree, also does well in a lawn.

Liquidambar – Liquidambar styraciflua

You'll need a large space for this towering tree that reaches up to 60' tall. If the roots are given enough space to grow, it makes a fantastic street tree that provides excellent shade. Disclaimer: although the leaves are colorful and beautiful, the tree produces copious amounts of seed “balls” that ruin the experience of jumping into a pile of raked leaves. Choose ‘Rotundiloba' which grows more slowly and rarely produces the spiny “balls.”

Light needs: Plant in full sun.
Height: 50-60.'
Water needs: Regular water.
Note: Surface roots can crack sidewalks and come up in lawns.

Tree Notes – Choosing a Tree

When choosing a tree, look for one with leaves growing along the entire stem. Avoid trees that resemble a mature tree (with a long stem and a heavy top). The leaves are necessary to help the tree develop a strong trunk.

Tree Notes – Planting

Planting a tree correctly is essential to having a healthy tree. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the tree stake.
Step 2: Dig a hole twice as wide but the same depth as the container.
Step 3: After removing the “root ball” (area of soil and roots) from the container, set it in the hole.
Step 4: Make sure the top of the root ball is lined up with the surrounding soil or a little higher.
Step 5: Fill in around the root ball with removed soil, do not cover over the root ball with soil. Make sure the root ball is still showing and is level with the ground.
Step 6: Create a basin around the base of the tree and water well.

Tree Notes – Staking

If you remove the stake from your new tree and it falls over, return the tree. Healthy trees should not fall over and do not need to be staked. In fact, a tree that can't stand upright that grows into a mature tree is likely to become a landscape hazard** in the future.

Allowing your new tree to sway with the wind helps it develop a strong trunk and root system. The only time it is recommended to stake trees is in areas with heavy wind. In this case, two stakes should be used, and then removed after one year. Learn more about tree staking in the Planting Landscape Trees publication below.

Tree Notes – Water

All newly planted trees need regular water for the first 2-5 years after planting. Regular water means keeping the soil moist but not too wet or allowing it to dry out. Once their roots are established, trees need deep water once or twice per month during the dry season (May-October), depending on temperature, tree species, soil type, and other factors.

Resources

Stanislaus County Tree Guide

Looking for more tree recommendations? Visit our publications page and scroll to the bottom of the page to click on our “Trees in Your Home Garden” publication at https://cestanislaus.ucanr.edu/Gardening_Publications/

Planting Landscape Trees

https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8046.pdf

 

*University research has shown that adding amendments such as compost and fertilizer to planting holes does not help trees; in fact, it can cause problem. Read more at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=46215

**worried you may have a hazardous tree in your landscape? Download this free guide for tips on how to inspect it. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8365.pdf

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 28, 2023! Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for you to make a donation to a program that has made a difference in your life.

We invite you to support us in our quest to promote healthier gardens, people, and more sustainable landscapes.

Here are some photos of our UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in action helping make Stanislaus County a better place.

Preparing to answer a phone call at the Help Desk.

               

Master Gardener talking about worm life cycle.

 

October is tarantula season in the foothills! Male tarantulas of the species Aphonopelma iodius are currently on the move, leaving their underground burrows, in search of a willing female to mate with. Once they find a receptive female, they mate and shortly after, they die (and sometimes become a meal for the female!).

With Halloween coming up I am seeing lots of scary faux spiders among front yard Halloween decorations. I must admit I am guilty of feeding into the arachnophobia that so many people have by placing a big fake hairy tarantula in my yard.

Fascinating Creatures

I love spiders! I know that is not what many people would say about them. These fascinating arachnids have been around since the age of dinosaurs and are among the most maligned and misunderstood creatures on the planet. Found on every continent except Antarctica, there is nothing else on Earth quite like them with their eight legs (though some have only six), multiple eyes, and the ability to produce silk, which is one of the strongest materials in the world. Within this basic framework, there is a wide variety of behavior within the arachnid group such as:

Most spiders are solitary creatures, but some form groups and even cooperate in brood care, caring for other spiders' offspring.

Not all spiders spin webs but those that do can create an incredible assortment of web designs, depending on the species, including spiral orbs, funnels, tubular, or ground sheets.

In some cases, two or more males will perform for a female to compete for her favor.

Some drop their silk to act as parachutes so they can drift on the slightest breeze

While spiders do not have brains in the traditional sense, a type of jumping spider appears to remember similar prey it has encountered, using trial and error to determine what works in capturing it.

Common and Beneficial

Spiders are the most common miniature living things living in our homes (besides micro-organisms). We are seldom aware of them because they conceal themselves in hidden spots (thus camouflaging themselves from their prey), tend to be active at night, and avoid humans. After all, we are much bigger than they are!

Spiders are beneficial organisms because they feed on common indoor pests such as mosquitoes, flies, roaches, earwigs, and moths. An additional benefit: many of the indoor pests that spiders consume can transmit diseases, i.e., mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and cockroaches. If left alone, spiders will consume most of the insects in your home, thus providing effective pest control.

Spider Bites

The jaws of most spiders are too small to bite humans. Of those that can bite, they will bite only if provoked, but very few spider bites are dangerous to humans. If you are bitten, the bite area may swell slightly and itch.

The adult female black widow is the primary spider in California capable of seriously injuring people. If bitten, remain calm and seek medical help.

Contrary to common myth, the brown recluse spider does not reside in California.

Managing Spiders

If you do have a spider issue around your home, the most effective way to manage them is to do regular housecleaning. Sweep or vacuum up their webs both indoors and outdoors, and prevent clutter build up that can provide hiding places for them both indoors and outdoors. If you do come across one, capture it in a jar and release it outside in an out-of-the-way spot. Avoid using pesticides since the chemicals will also kill other beneficial insects.

Appreciate Spiders Beneficial Role and Help Protect Them!

I will continue to put out my big “scary” tarantula out with the Halloween décor because spiders are so awesome. However, I do not put out the fake webbing, because like real spider webs, they can trap beneficial insects, spiders, and even small birds such as hummingbirds.

I will continue to allow spiders to share my home and garden, so they can do their crucial work of reducing pests. I much prefer having a few spiders around than mosquitoes, flies, moths, or cockroaches!

You do not have to love spiders like I do, but I hope you can appreciate the vital role arachnids play in our homes and gardens, and generally let them be.

References:

Spiders: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/spiderscard.html

Pests of Homes, Structures, People and Pets: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7442.html

Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 2020.