July 10, 2024

By Wendy Wilber

Looking at the calendar, we see it is fall in Florida. However, it is hard to feel in the mood for scarves, boots and pumpkin spice lattes when temperatures are still in the 80s.

But if you look closely, changes are happening in our trees. While the rest of the country is saying farewell to fall color, our deciduous hardwoods are just beginning to turn.

The autumn color show is mostly from north Florida to central Florida, where the color change starts in November and goes until after the holidays. When we have had adequate rainfall and cooler temperatures, we can get plenty of leaf color change in native trees.

We say color “change,” but really some color pigments have been there all along. When chlorophyll breaks down from colder temperatures and less sunlight, the yellow and orange pigments, called carotenoids, become dramatically visible. Dark red leaves occur from the chemical change of sugars trapped in the leaves, producing red pigments, known as anthocyanins.

See more: Learn How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard

Florida-Style Fall

Florida has many native deciduous trees that have a color change.

A standout for fall color is the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). This deciduous conifer goes from summer green to rusty bronze and holds that color for at least a month.

Our native sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) can have yellow or maroon leaves in the late fall. These trees can grow as tall as 75 feet, and they drop spiny sweet gum balls that wildlife utilizes.

The deciduous Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) leaves can turn from yellow to red depending on the evenings’ coolness. This is one of our fastest-growing oaks and a large shade tree.

Native green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) puts on a beautiful color show with many yellow leaves in its huge canopy. This native tree is well adapted to residential landscapes.

Our hickory trees, such as Carya glabra, are known for more than their nuts in the fall; their large leaves turn a beautiful coppery bronze. These trees grow to 40 to 50 feet and are native to Florida and the Southeast.

The Florida red maple (Acer rubrum) and the Florida sugar maple (Acer floridanum) have a lovely fall color show with red and yellow leaves. Both of these Florida natives do best in moist organic soils. They also have a second color show in the early fall when their red flowers and seeds appear.

See more: Autumn Brings Several Veggie and Fruit Options for the Florida Gardener

Leave the Leaves

Once those leaves hit the ground, don’t be so tempted to rake them into a bag and out to the curb. We are learning many creatures use leaves to get through the winter successfully.

Some moth and butterfly eggs, larvae or pupa can overwinter in fallen leaves. Frogs, toads, and even salamanders use the leaves to hide from predators. In return, these animals provide important help with garden-integrated pest management in the spring. Native bees and fireflies can use the fallen leaf layer to go through their life cycle.

If possible, try to let fallen leaves remain as a wintertime habitat for the important creatures you share your yard with. Remember, too, that those leaves help return nutrients to the landscape soil as they break down. Fallen leaves can also be used as a natural mulch in landscape beds or added to your compost pile.

For additional information on gardening for fall, contact your local UF/IFAS County Extension Office. With an Extension office located in all 67 counties in Florida, there are experts ready to answer your gardening questions for every season.

See more: Cherrylake Nurtures Native Plants and Maintains a Commitment to Biodiversity