4 NYC Trees with Spectacular Fall Colors (and where to find them!)

Autumn is upon us! Which means the leaves in the tree canopies above our heads are beginning to display vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds. The process of a leaf changing color, and how vibrant the colors are is influenced by a combination of different factors. Read on below to learn what’s going on up there!

Factors affecting leaf color

Pigments: What makes leaf color in the first place? Leaves naturally contain chemicals called pigments that give them their color. Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green color in the spring and summer and is responsible for changing sunlight into sugars for the tree (photosynthesis!). Another pigment that is present in tree leaves all year are the Carotenoids: producing yellow, orange and brown colors. A third pigment called Anthocyanin is produced in leaves as fall weather sets in and gives leaves their red and purple colors.
Length of Day: As the day length shortens in the fall, there are fewer hours of sunlight for plants to photosynthesize. Trees are triggered to stop producing chlorophyll and as the pigment in leaves breaks down, the green color fades and all the hidden yellow, orange, and browns show their stuff!
Temperature & Weather: The onset of cooler temperatures signals the production of Anthocyanins and the red and purple coloration in some tree species. More vibrant colors are produced when a sunny day is followed by a cooler night. Sugars are produced during the day, and at night the leaf veins close, preventing the sugar from escaping. Soil moisture can also contribute to leaf color. If the tree experienced drought in the summer, the fall may have less intense colors.

4 NYC native trees and their fall leaves

1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) leaves turn fiery red in the fall due to the presence of anthocyanin. (Acer rubrum)

Where to find: Red maple is common in all five boroughs. Look in wetland areas like Bronx Park along the river for early fall color and the rocky heights in Manhattan like Highbridge Park for later fall vibrant color.

red maple tree canopy

2. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) leaves turn bright clear yellow in the fall due to the presence of carotenoids.

Where to find: Sassafras is found throughout NYC from the Rockaways to the Bronx. Good places to see abundant stands are Vault Hill in Van Cortlandt Park in the Northwest Bronx and at Marine Park in the maritime forest along Gerritsen Creek in Brooklyn.

Sassafras yellow leaf

3. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) leaves turn warm orange and brown in the fall due to the presence of carotenoids.

Where to find: A common street tree, Pin Oak (also known as swamp oak) can be found citywide and is scattered throughout forests. Look for groups clustered around low wet areas in Staten Island and Queens. See them along the wide trails at Mariner’s Marsh Park in Staten Island’s north shore and the Blue Trail by the kettle ponds in Alley Pond Park in Queens.

pin oak orange leaf

4. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall due to the presence of anthocyanin formed in the leaves. Hope for sunny days and cool nights to see Sweetgum at its best!

Where to find: There are abundant sweet gum trees in Staten Island’s southern shore. Also enjoy colorful stands of sweetgum in Blue Heron Park, and Wolfe’s Pond Park. Cunningham Park’s White Trail provides easy access to sweetgum forests in Queens.

sweet gum assorted leaves in red and purple

Enjoy the autumn leaf display in New York City! If you’re interested in a guided tour and volunteer opportunities in natural areas across the city, check out our events calendar, and sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.