It also reduces the rate of respiration in the leaf, so some sugars are converted to carbon dioxide. Those sugars retained are converted to colorful anthocyanin pigments, hence the sugar high connotation. Even with perfect climatic conditions, if we don't have the best species of trees, we are lost from the start. Start with a good species. The trees that have been most spectacular in my neighborhood are the hickories.
Hickories have bold, yellow leaves that hold for a long time.
Sweetgums are next on my list for fall colors. Its attractive palmate leaves provide some of the deepest shades of orange and crimson. My neighbors laughed when I bought one and planted it in my landscape, but no one laughs in the fall when it puts on a colorful show. Other than hickories, the best trees for yellow are the green ash, gingko and elm. The best trees for red, in addition to sweetgum and ornamental pear, are the black gum, red maple, Japanese maple and the red oak that has been equally spectacular.