.png)
Take a walk around Carmel-by-the-Sea, including Devendorf Park, and you will enjoy the rich reds, oranges, and yellows, of fall leaves. It's a great reminder of how the right trees can really enhance a garden, especially here along the coast where the mild climate makes for a long, colorful fall season.
These three trees—Japanese Maple, Chinese Pistache, and Sweetgum, are ideal choices for landscapes in Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach, Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, and the entire Monterey Peninsula. Each tree brings beautiful seasonal color, adaptability to the local climate, and unique characteristics that create a cozy fall landscape.
Acer palmatum bloodgood (Japanese Maple)
The Acer palmatum bloodgood is a popular choice for many of Carmel Point Landscapes' clients due to its shades of red, orange, and yellow. It thrives in part sun to full shade, making it suitable for gardens in Carmel by the Sea, Carmel Highlands, and Pebble Beach. This tree grows to a height of 15-25 feet and spreads 15-20 feet wide, making it an excellent fit for smaller spaces or as a focal point in a landscape. Some of the varieties that do well in the local area are bloodgood and Sango-kaku (Coral Bark).
Japanese Maples require well-drained, slightly acidic soil and moderate watering, making it well-suited to the coastal climate of the Monterey Peninsula.
Fall Color: Red, Orange, Yellow
Height: 15-25 feet
Width: 15-20 feet
Climate: Prefers part sun to full shade
Watering Needs: Moderate
Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistache)
The Pistacia chinensis provides beautiful fall color, with shades of orange and red leaves. This tree grows well in full sun and reaches a mature height of 25-35 feet, with a spread of 20-25 feet. It thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for dry landscapes on the Monterey Peninsula. Chinese Pistache also has strong resistance to pests and fires, making it a resilient addition to local gardens.
Pistacia chinensis tree produces panicles of greenish flowers in the spring and has amazing fall foliage, creating a colorful display.
Fall Color: Orange, Red
Height: 25-35 feet
Width: 20-25 feet
Climate: Full sun
Watering Needs: Low to moderate
Soil: Well-drained
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)
Liquidambar styraciflua is a large tree that provides dramatic fall color with shades of red, yellow, and purple leaves. It grows well in full sun to partial shade, making it an ideal tree for large properties in Pebble Beach, Carmel Highlands, and Big Sur. Carmel Point Landscapes recommends Liquidambar styraciflua for spacious landscapes due to its potential height of 60-75 feet and spread of 40-50 feet wide.
This tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and has moderate watering needs, which makes it adaptable to the coastal climate. In addition to its bold fall colors, the Sweetgum offers year-round interest with its unique foliage and impressive size.
Fall Color: Red, Yellow, Purple
Height: 60-75 feet
Width: 40-50 feet
Climate: Full sun to partial shade
Watering Needs: Moderate
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Check out the fall colors in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Source Citations for this Article:
California State University, Stanislaus. (2023, June 20). Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). California State University, Stanislaus. https://www.csustan.edu/campus-tree-story-map/japanese-maple-acer-palmatum
Arbor Day Foundation. (2015, August 26). Chinese pistache: There’s more than meets the eye. Arbor Day Foundation. https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/chinese-pistache-theres-more-meets-eye
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Liquidambar styraciflua – Sweetgum. UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/
Comments