If instead we experience warm, cloudy and wet conditions the color will be much duller. Yellow fall color occurs as the two yellow pigments, carotin and xanthophyll are unmasked by the loss of chlorophyll. Red fall color is due to the formation of anthocyanin which results from the accumulation of sugars and tannins in the leaves. Some of our best yellow color occurs with Norway maple and birch. Fallgold black ash is noted for its golden yellow fall color, while Autumn Purple white ash and Autumn Blaze maple are noted for their brilliant reddish-purple and red colors, respectively.
Many homeowners believe that landscaping has to be done in the spring.
But fall is an especially good time to complete those landscape projects around the house. The typical fall combination of warm, moist soils and cooler air temperatures reduces transplanting stresses and speeds recovery. And added bonus, September garden center prices are usually at a seasonal low as managers try to reduce the stock to carry over the winter. The normal shredding of needles is most apparent on pines and spruce and results in numerous calls from alarmed tree owners. The critical factor is the age of the affected needle.