52 of the Most Colorful Trees in the World

Of all plants on Earth, trees are quite possibly the most useful. Trees provide shade and beauty, and they also keep the air clean by changing carbon dioxide to oxygen. Plus, we get lumber, paper, and countless other essential things from the trees around us. But today, we’ll be focusing on some of the truly incredible colors you can find in trees all around the globe.

Here’s our list of the world’s most colorful trees:

1. Rainbow Eucalyptus

The Rainbow Eucalyptus has bark that looks like it's been painted in long streaks.
  • Latin name: Eucalyptus deglupta
  • When it blooms: Varies depending on location
  • Soil needs: Needs rich, moist rainforest soil to thrive
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: This tree has bark that looks like it’s been painted in long streaks. Its outer bark sheds to reveal layers of bark that are orange, green, blue, gray, red, and purplish brown.

The beautiful and otherworldly rainbow eucalyptus may well be the most colorful tree in the world. When you first look at a picture of it, you may well think it’s a painting instead of an actual tree. It’s native to the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. However, thanks to its beauty, it’s grown in many areas around the world. As long as it’s planted in a frost-free area with relatively rich soil, the rainbow eucalyptus is likely to thrive.

2. Tibetan Cherry Tree

The Tibetan cherry tree is an ornamental tree for all seasons.
  • Latin name: Prunus serrula
  • When it blooms: Late April
  • Soil needs: Tolerates many different soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Though this tree has small clusters of pretty white flowers, its bark is what really makes it stand out. The bark is a shiny, coppery color that looks like metal.

Thanks to its beautiful and shiny bark, the Tibetan cherry tree is an ornamental tree for all seasons. Its bark is also unusually strong; it is almost as strong as Mylar. Although it is beautiful, this tree is often a target of a variety of garden pests, including Japanese beetles.

3. Blue Jacaranda

The dreamy-looking blue jacaranda is native to south-central South America
  • Latin name: Jacaranda mimosifolia
  • When it blooms: Usually in October
  • Soil needs: Prefers sandy, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: This type of jacaranda has flowers that are a pale bluish purple. They grow in large clusters and last for a while, so it’s a great ornamental tree.

The dreamy-looking blue jacaranda is native to south-central South America, but it grows well in many parts of the world. It is especially common in Australia. Students in Queensland often call stressful periods around exam time “purple panic” because the purplish jacaranda blooms appear at the same time.

4. Cannonball Tree

The cannonball tree is named for its distinctive, cannonball-like fruits.
  • Latin name: Couroupita guianensis
  • When it blooms: Usually spring and summer
  • Soil needs: Prefers soil that is able to drain between waterings
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: These beautiful yet odd-looking trees have spectacular pink flowers with white center. The flowers often grow directly off of woody branches that emerge from the trunk.

The cannonball tree is named for its distinctive, cannonball-like fruits. It is especially well known for its incredibly fragrant flowers. The flowers smell most noticeably sweet at night and in the early morning, and some people say they are reminiscent of expensive perfume. However, if you think the fruit will be sweet like the flowers, you’ll be disappointed. The fruit of the cannonball tree has an unpleasant, rotten smell. It can be used to feed domestic chickens and pigs.

5. American Elm

The American elm tree may well be most famous because the tree is planted in Central Park in New York.
  • Latin name: Ulmus americana
  • When it blooms: Small flowers appear in springtime
  • Soil needs: Thrives in a variety of soil types
  • Sun exposure: Does best in full sun
  • Color varieties: In autumn, the American elm has especially striking foliage. The leaves gradually turn from green to a bright, golden yellow.

The American elm tree may well be most famous because the tree is planted in Central Park in New York. Countless photos of Central Park in autumn show the brilliant yellow foliage of the trees forming a sort of archway over the walking path. This tree seems to grow best in the northeastern part of the United States, although smaller American elms can be found in Texas and in the South.

6. Gingko Tree

The gingko tree is one of the oldest on the list.
  • Latin name: Gingko biloba
  • When it blooms: Flowers occur in spring, although gingko trees do not flower until they are between 20 and 40 years old
  • Soil needs: Does best in silty, fine soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: Gingko trees have green leaves in the spring, but they are especially well known for their fall foliage. In autumn, they become a deep, fiery yellow in color.

The gingko tree is one of the oldest on the list. It’s the only surviving tree species in its order, Ginkgoales. That order first appeared more than 290 million years ago. The gingko tree, which is native to China, has been planted and grown since ancient civilization, and it is still commonly seen in many parts of the world today.

7. Dogwood Tree

There are many different species and cultivars of the dogwood tree.
  • Latin name: Cornus sp.
  • When it blooms: Flowers appear in spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in many soil types except very dry soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers partial shade
  • Color varieties: There are many different species and cultivars of the dogwood tree. Many have white or pink flowers that appear in spring, making the dogwood an excellent ornamental tree to add some spring interest to any garden.

Though the dogwood tree is primarily used ornamentally now, it has a long history of medicinal use. The bark, like many plants used for tea, is especially rich in tannins. Tea made from dogwood bark was used as far back as the Civil War when soldiers used it for both fevers and pain. American pioneers would also use smaller dogwood twigs as toothbrushes.

8. Sugar Maple

The sugar maple is one of the most useful maple trees.
  • Latin name: Acer saccharum
  • When it blooms: Flowers appear in early spring
  • Soil needs: Tolerates almost every soil type except very sandy soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: Sugar maple trees have some of the most beautiful fall foliage. Unlike many other maple varieties, sugar maple trees will sometimes have many different colors on the same tree. They often turn bright yellow, bright reddish orange, or plain orange.

The sugar maple is one of the most useful maple trees. It gets its name from the fact that it is the main tree variety used to make maple syrup. It also is used extensively for its wood. If you’ve ever bought something made with rock maple, curly maple, birds-eye maple, sweet maple, hard maple, or sugar tree, that item was made with the wood of the sugar maple.

9. Rowan Tree

Rowan trees are sometimes called mountain-ashes, as they are most common in cooler, mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Latin name: Sorbus sp.
  • When it blooms: Flowers usually appear in spring
  • Soil needs: Tolerates a wide range of soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers areas with plenty of sun
  • Color varieties: This type of tree adds visual interest through much of the year. Many species in the genus have clusters of bright red to red-orange fruit that appear after the blooming season. Some Asian species in the genus have white, pink, or yellow fruit. Rowan trees bloom with creamy off-white flowers in spring.

Rowan trees are sometimes called mountain-ashes, as they are most common in cooler, mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Their small, brightly-colored fruits were once widely eaten in both Europe and North America, although that practice is not very common now. However, the fruit of the rowan tree is still used in a number of alcoholic beverages, and they are sometimes used as a substitute for coffee beans as well.

10. Flowering Plum Tree

The flowering plum tree originally comes from western Asia and southeastern Europe, but it's now grown in many areas of the world.
  • Latin name: Prunus cerasifera
  • When it blooms: Very early spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers sandy or fine-textured loam
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: There are many different cultivars of the flowering plum tree. Some of the most popular ones have deep purple leaves. Most have bright white or pale pink flowers and round, reddish fruit.

The flowering plum tree originally comes from western Asia and southeastern Europe, but it’s now grown in many areas of the world. Because it often flowers as soon as early February, it’s a great choice for those who want to add a burst of color to their gardens at the end of winter.

11. Persian Ironwood

The Persian ironwood has bark that is much more colorful than you might expect.
  • Latin name: Parrotia persica
  • When it blooms: Late winter
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: This distinctively beautiful tree has lovely pink or red flowers that contrast with its multi-colored wood. The flowers have an interesting texture that makes them look a lot like clover flowers. As the bark of the Persian ironwood peels, it reveals streaks of cinnamon, yellow, pink, and green.

Though its bark isn’t quite as spectacular as that of the rainbow eucalyptus, the Persian ironwood has bark that is much more colorful than you might expect. And though its flowers are very small, they are beautiful and unusual upon closer inspection. This tree also has especially bright fall colors; its leaves are often a mixture of red and yellow.

12. Smoketree

The smoketree's name has an interesting origin.
  • Latin name: Cotinus coggygria
  • When it blooms: Late spring
  • Soil needs: Grows well in almost any type of soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The smoketree offers beautiful different colors throughout the year. In the spring, its blooms are pink or purple. And in fall, its leaves are known for being especially spectacular. They often are a mixture of yellow, red, and orange.

The smoketree’s name has an interesting origin. Because its blooms are more of feathery plumes than traditional flowers, the tree often looks like it’s surrounded by a cloud of pink or purple mist or smoke. And combined with its fiery fall foliage, this feature helps the smoketree add visual interest all year round.

13. Golden Rain Tree

The golden rain tree has bright green foliage that contrasts beautifully with its flowers
  • Latin name: Koelreuteria paniculata
  • When it blooms: Late summer
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, nutrient-rich soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: This tree has bright green foliage that contrasts beautifully with its flowers, which are especially bright golden yellow. Since the flowers appear in late summer, they help keep gardens interesting once spring blooms have gone away.

This beautiful and unusual tree is native to Korea, China, and eastern Asia. However, it can be grown in almost any temperate region in the world. It takes especially well to Florida and some other parts of the eastern United States, where it is now considered to be an invasive species.

14. Red Panda Chinese Red Birch

The Red Panda cultivar has bark that is a deeper, more intense red. It looks a bit like the bark of the Tibetan cherry tree.
  • Latin name: Betula albosinensis ‘Red Panda’
  • When it blooms: Mid-spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in many different soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: The most colorful feature on this Chinese red birch cultivar is its bark. Even wild Chinese red birch trees have bark that often appears striped or mottled with cinnamon, red, and white. The Red Panda cultivar has bark that is a deeper, more intense red. It looks a bit like the bark of the Tibetan cherry tree.

This beautiful tree is commonly found in arboretums and very large gardens. It does well as an ornamental tree on its own, but a variety of cultivars, often with more intensely-colored bark, have been developed.

15. Vine Maple

The vine maple is much smaller than most other maple trees.
  • Latin name: Acer circinatum
  • When it blooms: Usually in spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers relatively shady areas
  • Color varieties: The vine maple is one of the most colorful of the maple varieties when it comes to fall foliage. Often, a single tree will have elements of green, yellow, orange, and red.

The vine maple is much smaller than most other maple trees. In fact, it often grows as a shrub. It sometimes grows as a small to medium tree. And unlike other maple trees, it sometimes can grow in arch form. When this happens, the top of the tree curls down to the ground, where it forms a second root system.

16. Blue Spruce Tree

The blue spruce tree stands out from other spruce varieties.
  • Latin name: Picea pungens
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in soil that drains easily
  • Sun exposure: Does best in full sun
  • Color varieties: The blue spruce tree stands out from other spruce varieties. Its needles are a distinctive blue-green that almost looks frosted over. Thanks to this beautiful coloration, the blue spruce is often chosen as a Christmas tree.

Like other distinctive-looking trees on the list, the blue spruce tree has been developed into several different cultivars. This tree is ideal for keeping a garden interesting through the winter, and the bluish needles look great against a gray wintery backdrop.

17. Callery Pear

If you're familiar with Bradford pear trees, then you're familiar with Callery pear trees.
  • Latin name: Pyrus calleryana
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in many soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Though these trees have beautiful (usually white) flowers in spring, their fall colors offer the most spectacular color. Callery pear trees have leaves that will turn bronze, red, pink, yellow, or orange in the fall.

If you’re familiar with Bradford pear trees, then you’re familiar with Callery pear trees. ‘Bradford’ is the most famous cultivar of the species. Despite its name, the Callery pear does not produce edible fruit. While it technically has some fruit, it is small, woody, and inedible.

18. Common Hawthorn

The common hawthorn has some truly striking colors.
  • Latin name: Crataegus monogyna
  • When it blooms: Blooms in late spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers fast-draining soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The common hawthorn has some truly striking colors. Its white flowers pop against its deep green leaves. Once the flowers are gone, the tree bears clusters of small, vibrant red fruit. The fruits are edible, but instead of being eaten plain, they are often made into jams and jellies as well as alcoholic drinks.

This lovely tree is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. However, it also grows in many other parts of the world. It has also been hybridized with a wide range of other species to produce colorful varieties with different-colored flowers.

19. Tricolor Beech Tree

The tricolor beech comes in a few different varieties.
  • Latin name: Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseomarginata’
  • When it blooms: Blooms in early spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers partial shade
  • Color varieties: The tricolor beech comes in a few different varieties. Most have purple-green leaves with irregular edges. The edges are usually some mixture of tan-white and pink. If you view one of the trees from a distance, though, it will appear to be an overall rosy pink in color.

Want to add a touch of pink to your lawn even once the flowering trees have stopped blooming? If so, the beautiful tricolor birch is a great choice. This tree gets its name from its multicolored leaves. But the fact that it looks pink from a distance gives it the same effect as a pink flowering tree. Though this tree originally came from Denmark and parts of England, it can be grown in many different areas around the world.

20. Ohia Tree

The eye-catching flowers of the Ohia tree are usually red
  • Latin name: Metrosideros polymorpha
  • When it blooms: Usually spring, although it may bloom at other times throughout the year
  • Soil needs: Does well in many soil types, especially acidic to neutral soil
  • Sun exposure: Younger trees prefer partial shade, while adult trees may be in full sun
  • Color varieties: The eye-catching flowers of this tree are usually red. However, they do come in yellow, salmon, orange, red-orange, and pink.

Some of the trees on this list look especially colorful because they typically grow in barren areas. This beautiful tree is one of those. It grows in many areas in the Hawaiian Islands, but notably, it is one of the first plants to grow after a volcanic eruption. It’s also one of the most adaptable plants on the list. Depending on growing conditions, it will develop as a tree or a shrub. And in cases of very dry soil, it sometimes will even develop roots that extend into the air to collect moisture!

21. Lilac Tree

Some cultivars of the lilac tree also have white flowers.
  • Latin name: Syringa vulgaris
  • When it blooms: Blooms in late spring to early summer
  • Soil needs: Prefers somewhat loamy soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Blooms are a soft lavender in color, although some hybrid varieties have pink flowers. Some cultivars of the lilac tree also have white flowers.

For those in search of a smallish garden tree that is both beautiful and fragrant, the lilac tree just might be your answer. Its fairly large clusters of delicate purple blooms make a major color impact in your garden. Lilac trees were even the subject of a painting by Vincent van Gogh!

22. Red Maple Tree

If you've ever been to eastern North America, you've almost certainly seen a red maple.
  • Latin name: Acer rubrum
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring; trees do not begin to bloom until they are about eight years old
  • Soil needs: Does well in a wide variety of soil types
  • Sun exposure: Does well in both shade and sun
  • Color varieties: The red maple is known for its brilliant red fall foliage. However, its twigs, seeds, and flowers are all red, too.

If you’ve ever been to eastern North America, you’ve almost certainly seen a red maple. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the red maple is the region’s most abundant native tree. However, it is also widely planted for ornamental purposes. Many different cultivars exist, and many of these have been bred for even more brilliant fall foliage. Many nursery companies recommend growing the young trees in sunny areas in order to encourage especially brilliant fall foliage.

23. Pin Oak Tree

The pin oak has an interesting name, but no one knows exactly where it came from.
  • Latin name: Quercus palustris
  • When it blooms: Blooms in late spring
  • Soil needs: Does best in poorly-drained acidic soils
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The pin oak tree has beautiful fall foliage. Since it is related to the red oak, leaves are often reddish. But as you can see from the picture, they are commonly orange or yellow, too.

The pin oak has an interesting name, but no one knows exactly where it came from. One theory is that its many small twigs look like pins. Another theory comes from the fact that its wood was historically made into pins used in construction. Since the pin oak grows fast and is relatively hardy, it is commonly planted. 

24. Coral Bark Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple comes in countless different varieties.
  • Latin name: Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’
  • When it blooms: Usually between May and June
  • Soil needs: Does best in heavy clay soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: The bark of this tree is a bright coral pink. But that color becomes especially noticeable in the winter, where it becomes an even more intense salmon pink.

The Japanese maple comes in countless different varieties. It’s an exceedingly popular plant for landscaping. But this particular cultivar is especially exotic and beautiful, as its bark is a bright coral pink. Since the color intensifies in the winter, this is the ideal tree to plant if you want your garden to have some more winter color.

25. Butternut Tree

The butternut tree produces an odd-looking, lemon-shaped fruit.
  • Latin name: Juglans cinerea
  • When it blooms: Blooms from May to June
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist yet well-drained soils
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Like many trees on the list, the butternut tree is especially notable for its fall foliage. Its leaves usually turn a uniform bright yellow.

The butternut tree produces an odd-looking, lemon-shaped fruit. But when cracked open, the fruit can be eaten. Native Americans once made the fruits into a butter-like oil that was used for anointing. Now, younger fruits can be peeled and pickled.

26. Shagbark Hickory Tree

Though the shagbark hickory tree is notable for its beautiful fall foliage, its bark is also especially noticeable.
  • Latin name: Carya ovata
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in a range of different soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The shagbark hickory tree has especially beautiful fall leaves. The leaves turn yellow, but they are more of a deep golden yellow (as opposed to the very bright yellow of some trees on the list).

Though the shagbark hickory tree is notable for its beautiful fall foliage, its bark is also especially noticeable. The bark itself appears “shaggy,” with long strips beginning to attach and curl outward. These trees are some of the longest living on the list, as they can live to be 350 years or more.

27. Tamarack Tree

The tamarack tree is somewhat unusual in that it is both deciduous and conferous.
  • Latin name: Larix laricina
  • When it blooms: Blooms from April to May
  • Soil needs: Grows well in a range of soil types, although it seems to prefer swampy or boggy soil
  • Sun exposure: Does best in full sun
  • Color varieties: The autumn colors of this unique tree are especially stunning. Its foliage turns yellow, and as you can see from the picture, tamarack trees have some of the brightest yellow colors of any tree on the list.

The tamarack tree is somewhat unusual in that it is both deciduous and coniferous. It produces small seed cones. And though it has needles like other conifers, those needles turn yellow in the fall. You may have heard the tamarack tree called the eastern larch, black larch, or American larch.

28. Flowering Gum Tree

The flowering gum tree is one of the many brightly-colored plants you can find in Australia.
  • Latin name: Corymbia ficifolia
  • When it blooms: From December to May
  • Soil needs: Prefers sandy soil
  • Sun exposure: Does best in full sun
  • Color varieties: This tree has clusters of especially bright flowers. Often, its flowers are a bright crimson red, but they can also be pink or orange. The flowers create an eye-catching contrast with the tree’s dark green leaves.

The flowering gum tree is one of the many brightly-colored plants you can find in Australia. Though it occurs in the wild, it is also cultivated in Australia and overseas. It’s also the subject of an interesting selective breeding project. Scientists in Ireland are currently working on a program to raise cold-tolerant flowering gum trees in hopes that they can thrive in Ireland.

29. Southern Magnolia Tree

Few trees are as symbolic of the American South as the southern magnolia tree.
  • Latin name: Magnolia grandiflora
  • When it blooms: Between February and June, depending on the exact variety
  • Soil needs: Does best in moist, peat-like soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to part shade
  • Color varieties: Magnolia trees aren’t as obviously bright as many trees on the list, but their beautifully contrasting colors make them especially eye-catching. Magnolia trees have broad, glossy green leaves with brownish undersides. The leaves look especially striking against the tree’s large, cream-colored flowers.

Few trees are as symbolic of the American South as the southern magnolia tree. These dignified trees are known for their large flowers that have a lemony, citronella-like fragrance. Magnolia trees can grow to around 120 feet tall. You may sometimes hear the magnolia referred to as “bull bay.” This is because the magnolia and similar trees can be called “bays” because their leaves are reminiscent of bay leaves. “Bull bay” comes from the large size of the leaves and because cattle sometimes eat the leaves. 

30. Mimosa Tree

The mimosa tree goes by many names.
  • Latin name: Albizia julibrissin
  • When it blooms: Blooms between May and July
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist yet well-drained loamy soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: These trees have beautiful, tropical-looking flowers. The flowers look almost hairy or furry, with whitish centers and bright pink edges.

The mimosa tree goes by many names, and it is commonly referred to as the Persian silk tree or the pink silk tree. Though its flowers are renowned for their beauty, they are also famous for their fragrance, as they smell especially sweet. The flowers are a good source of nectar for both bees and butterflies.

31. Franklin Tree

The Franklin tree looks especially stunning in autumn.
  • Latin name: Franklinia alatamaha
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms from July to August
  • Soil needs: Prefers sandy soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial sun
  • Color varieties: The Franklin tree looks especially stunning in autumn. Its flowers have white petals and orange-yellow centers that make them look a bit like fried eggs. The plant’s autumn foliage is often a mottled reddish shade, so the tree is a beautiful combination of warm colors.

The Franklin tree is very unusual in that it does not exist in the wild at all; it’s only a cultivated tree. And even though it’s only cultivated, the tree is still very challenging to grow. It’s sensitive to root disturbances and is very particular about the soil it needs to grow. William Bartram, a botanist from Philadelphia who discovered and studied the tree, decided to name it after Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin had been a close friend of Bertram’s father.

32. Quaking Aspen

The quaking aspen is a graceful, slender tree that can be found in most of the colder areas of North America.
  • Latin name: Populus tremuloides
  • When it blooms: Blooms in mid-spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers soil that is well-drained
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: The quaking aspen is one of the trees on the list with beautiful fall foliage. Most of these trees have leaves that turn uniformly yellow or golden yellow, although red leaves can be seen very rarely. Since many quaking aspens are often seen growing together, they can create what appears to be a continuous bright yellow canopy in autumn.

The quaking aspen is a graceful, slender tree that can be found in most of the colder areas of North America. Thanks to its beautiful fall colors, it is sometimes called the “golden aspen.” There’s a reason you almost always see quaking aspen in large groups; this tree is able to propagate through its roots.

33. Sassafras Tree

Sassafras root is no longer allowed to be used to make commercial root beer, as large doses of it may cause liver problems and some kinds of cancer.
  • Latin name: Sassafras albidum
  • When it blooms: Blooms in April
  • Soil needs: Prefers sandy loam
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: Sassafras trees have beautiful fall coloring. And as you can see in the picture, one tree can often have a range of fall colors at once.

This distinctive tree probably has the most culinary uses of any tree on the list. You might already know that it’s an extremely important ingredient in authentic root beer. However, sassafras root is no longer allowed to be used to make commercial root beer, as large doses of it may cause liver problems and some kinds of cancer. Sassafras leaves are also dried and ground into filé powder, a spicy herb incorporated in Louisiana Creole gumbo.

34. Birch Tree

A birch tree can be any member of a fairly large genus of trees.
  • Latin name: Betula spp.
  • When it blooms: Blooms between late May and early June
  • Soil needs: Usually prefers moist soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to part shade
  • Color varieties: Some birch varieties, like the one shown in the picture, have bark that is very close to being pure white with streaks of gray. When the trees turn to their fall foliage, the contrast between their fiery yellow or orange leaves and their pale bark is especially striking.

A birch tree can be any member of a fairly large genus of trees. There are various types of birch trees found worldwide, but those found in America often have relatively pale bark. Compared to many of the larger trees on the list, birch trees have relatively slim, delicate-looking leaves.

35. Crabapple Tree

The term "crabapple tree" covers a whole genus of trees.
  • Latin name: Malus spp.
  • When it blooms: Blooms in mid-spring to late spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-draining soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: Many crabapple trees have beautiful bright pink flowers. Depending on the exact variety, the fruits may be reddish and glossy, adding more visual interest.

The term “crabapple tree” covers a whole genus of trees. But unlike birch trees, crabapple trees are confined to the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Interestingly enough, this genus also includes the orchard apple.

36. Chaste Tree

Chaste trees are members of the Vitex genus.
  • Latin name: Vitex spp.
  • When it blooms: From late spring until early fall
  • Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Some chaste trees have especially beautiful flowers. The one in the picture has bright blue blooms, but you can find chaste trees in pink, purple, and more.

Chaste trees are members of the Vitex genus. And depending on the exact species, many chaste trees are very useful. Species that have slender, flexible limbs are often used for weaving baskets, while larger species are used for lumber. In some cultures, these trees are also used medicinally. However, most varieties are grown ornamentally.

37. Flamboyant Tree

The flamboyant tree is one of the more aptly-named trees on the list
  • Latin name: Delonix regia
  • When it blooms: Blooming time varies widely depending on where it is grown
  • Soil needs: Prefers fairly moist soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Most varieties have bright scarlet flowers. However, there is a rare variant with yellow-orange flowers instead.

The flamboyant tree is one of the more aptly-named trees on the list, and it is sometimes called the “flame tree.” You may also hear it referred to as a “royal poinciana” or “flame of the forest.” It originated in dry forests in Madagascar, and it is listed as endangered in the wild. However, thanks to its beauty, it is grown widely in cultivation, and it grows in many tropical parts of the world. Due to its large size, it serves an important purpose in tropical regions: it provides a decent amount of shade.

38. Crepe Myrtle

There are many different species of crepe myrtle.
  • Latin name: Lagerstroemia spp.
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms from May to early June
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist soil that still drains well
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: These beautiful ornamental trees often have large clusters of flowers. They are commonly magenta in color. However, you can also find them in dark purple, white, red, and almost any color in between. When grown in temperate regions, crepe myrtles turn a bright medley of colors in the fall, too.

There are many different species of crepe myrtle. The common crepe myrtle, a plant native to China and Korea, was introduced to the United States in 1790. Today, it is widely planted as an ornamental tree. Its large clusters of blossoms, when viewed up close, are made up of delicate, crepe-like blooms.

39. Japanese Horse Chestnut Tree

The Japanese horse chestnut's history is intertwined with that of ancient civilizations.
  • Latin name: Aesculus turbinata
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms throughout the spring
  • Soil needs: Tolerates most soil types as long as they drain well
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial sun
  • Color varieties: The Japanese horse chestnut tree has especially beautiful flowers. The flowers grow in cone-shaped clusters. They are mostly creamy white in color, although they have spots of bright yellow and magenta.

The Japanese horse chestnut’s history is intertwined with that of ancient civilizations. The Jōmon people of the plant’s native Japan relied heavily upon it as a food source, and they did so for over four millennia. Today, the Japanese horse chestnut isn’t widely eaten in the country. However, it is used to make tochimochi, a kind of rice cake made with the plant’s fruit. The chestnut that comes from this plant has a somewhat bitter taste, and it is essentially not eaten at all in the West.

40. Saucer Magnolia

Most saucer magnolia trees have vibrant pink flowers that are somewhat cup-shaped.
  • Latin name: Magnolia × soulangeana
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to part shade
  • Color varieties: Most saucer magnolia trees have vibrant pink flowers that are somewhat cup-shaped. However, some varieties have flowers that are white, purple, or pale pink.

This unusual tree is a hybrid species that was developed in France. It became very popular in both Europe and North America after its development. The saucer magnolia has been further developed into several different cultivars, and over 100 separate cultivars currently exist. Part of its popularity comes from the fact that it is extremely easy to grow. Since the saucer magnolia usually only reaches the size of a small tree, it makes a beautiful addition to a garden without becoming overpowering.

41. Redbud Tree

Interestingly enough, you may sometimes hear the redbud described as the "Judas tree."
  • Latin name: Cercis reniformis
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms from late winter through early spring
  • Soil needs: Prefers light soil that drains well
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sunlight to partial shade
  • Color varieties: The redbud tree, when viewed up close, has delicate yet colorful leaves and flowers. Its green leaves are heart-shaped, while its flowers are pinkish red.

Interestingly enough, you may sometimes hear the redbud described as the “Judas tree.” That’s because, according to legend, Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a redbud after betraying Jesus Christ. However, the name may have come from “Judea’s tree,” a reference to the area in the Middle East where the tree is commonly found. Though they make beautiful garden additions, redbud trees don’t seem to live very long. On average, a redbud tree will survive 20 years. However, their natural lifespan even in optimal conditions is only about 50 years.

42. Silk Floss Tree

Silk floss trees have especially bright magenta flowers.
  • Latin name: Ceiba speciosa
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms between February and May
  • Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil but is generally adaptable when it comes to soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Silk floss trees have especially bright magenta flowers. Though they add a burst of color to any landscape, the flowers are especially beautiful when viewed up close. The centers are usually creamy white and darken to deep pink on the outside.

Thanks to its beautiful flowers, the silk floss tree is mostly grown as an ornamental tree. However, it does produce a fibrous, cotton-like material. That material can be used for stuffing, but it isn’t as high quality as some other cotton substitutes. It grows especially well in subtropical areas. It is sometimes planted alongside sidewalks, but that necessitates a barrier, as the tree’s spiky trunk may cause injury.

43. Katsura Tree

The katsura tree's leaves are especially beautiful in fall, but they also have an unusual yet pleasant fragrance: they often smell like burnt brown sugar or caramel.
  • Latin name: Cercidiphyllum spp.
  • When it blooms: Blooms in March or April
  • Soil needs: Prefers well-draining soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The katsura tree is one of many of the tree species cultivated for its beautiful fall color. Its leaves will usually turn yellow, red-orange, and pink.

The katsura tree’s leaves are especially beautiful in fall, but they also have an unusual yet pleasant fragrance: they often smell like burnt brown sugar or caramel. The scent is created by organic compounds within the leaves themselves. One is maltol, a compound that is also used as a flavor enhancer for various types of food. The other is a sugary compound in the leaves. The tree’s warm scent has led it to be called the “pie tree” or “gingerbread tree” in Germany.

44. Scarlet Oak

Thanks to its intense fall coloration, the scarlet oak is most popular as an ornamental tree.
  • Latin name: Quercus coccinea
  • When it blooms: Usually blooms in May
  • Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun, although it can tolerate some shade
  • Color varieties: The scarlet oak is related to the red oak. And as you might expect, it also has red leaves in the fall. However, the scarlet oak has deeper red, almost purplish-red leaves in autumn. Usually, all the foliage on one tree turns a uniform color.

Thanks to its intense fall coloration, the scarlet oak is most popular as an ornamental tree. It can most commonly be found in the eastern and central United States, where it is especially popular as a lawn or park tree. Thanks to its leaf shape and fall coloration, it is sometimes mistaken for the red oak, the pin oak, and the black oak.

45. Vinegar Tree

Though the vinegar tree is an evergreen, its leaves do turn colors in the fall.
  • Latin name: Lophostemon confertus
  • When it blooms: Blooms in spring
  • Soil needs: Does well in a range of soil types
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Though the vinegar tree is an evergreen, its leaves do turn colors in the fall. As you can see from the picture, it’s possible to have one tree with many different colors ranging from pale yellow to deep scarlet.

Many Australian animals are known for their bright rainbow coloring. This Australian tree is similarly brilliant, at least in autumn. Its evergreen classification might make you think that its leaves never change, but the vinegar tree is actually one of the brightest on the list when it comes to fall foliage.

46. Red Oak Tree

And if you want brilliant fall color that you won't be able to forget, a red oak may be a good variety to plant.
  • Latin name: Quercus rubra
  • When it blooms: Usually in May
  • Soil needs: Prefers high-quality, nutrient-rich soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Thanks to their especially vibrant fall colors, oak trees make several appearances on this list. This one has leaves that turn a deep yet energetic red in the fall.

Oak trees look especially stately in any environment. And if you want brilliant fall color that you won’t be able to forget, a red oak may be a good variety to plant. Even the wild type of red oak has intense fall coloration, but many nursery companies offer specific cultivars for sale.

47. American Sweetgum

Though the American sweetgum tree produces lovely fall foliage, it also produces gumballs.
  • Latin name: Liquidambar styraciflua
  • When it blooms: Between March and May
  • Soil needs: Grows well in many different types of soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Color varieties: The American sweetgum tree produces beautiful fall foliage; it’s usually reddish orange with a bit of a pink undertone.

Though the American sweetgum tree produces lovely fall foliage, it also produces gumballs, the round and spiky seed pods that can really hurt your feet if you aren’t careful. If you aren’t too familiar with different varieties of trees, it’s very easy to confuse its five-pointed, starlike leaves with those of a maple tree.

48. Honey Locust

Though the honey locust tree is especially beautiful in fall, its adaptability has made it a problem in some areas.
  • Latin name: Gleditsia triacanthos
  • When it blooms: Between May and June
  • Soil needs: Grows well in almost any soil type, but loam is best
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: This lovely tree is especially known for its very bright yellow fall foliage. Its leaves often turn a uniform yellow, making the honey locust especially striking.

Though the honey locust tree is especially beautiful in fall, its adaptability has made it a problem in some areas. Since it grows well in many conditions, it has become an invasive species in many parts of the world. However, several cultivars have been developed and are used as ornamental trees.

49. Wisteria

Most people know the wisteria tree for its soft-colored, hanging clusters of blooms.
  • Latin name: Wisteria sp.
  • When it blooms: Can bloom from spring to late summer depending on exact species and location
  • Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: Wisteria flowers are usually a soft lilac color. The flowers hang down in long clusters, making the wisteria a great ornamental tree.

Most people know the wisteria tree for its soft-colored, hanging clusters of blooms. So you might be surprised to hear this plant is actually a member of the legume family! Plants in this genus are native to many different parts of the world, including the eastern United States, southern Canada, Iran, China, Korea, and Japan.

50. Black Tupelo Tree

Like many trees on the list, the black tupelo tree's most colorful feature is its fall foliage.
  • Latin name: Nyssa sylvatica
  • When it blooms: From April to June
  • Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soils with a light texture
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: This tree has glossy green leaves in the spring and summer, but its magnificent fall foliage is something to behold. The leaves often display a gradient of color that goes from pale green to yellow, and then from orange to red.

Like many trees on the list, the black tupelo tree’s most colorful feature is its fall foliage. And as is the case with many trees, its fall colors will be especially bright if it is grown in full sunlight.

51. Cherry Blossom Tree

Though many people think that cherry blossom trees are a single species, there are many species in the Prunus genus that are colloquially referred to as "cherry blossom trees."
  • Latin name: Prunus sp.
  • When it blooms: Usually between March and April
  • Soil needs: Prefers alkaline, well-drained soil
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: These trees usually produce flowers that are medium pink to pinkish-white.

Though many people think that cherry blossom trees are a single species, there are many species in the Prunus genus that are colloquially referred to as “cherry blossom trees.” They are different from cherry trees that produce edible fruit.

52. Kapok Tree

The kapok tree is certainly interesting.
  • Latin name: Ceiba pentandra
  • When it blooms: Only about every 5-10 years; flowers bloom at night
  • Soil needs: Prefers soil that drains well
  • Sun exposure: Prefers full sun
  • Color varieties: The trunk of the kapok tree is often spring green in color and covered in brownish spikes.

The kapok tree is certainly interesting. It’s one of the largest trees in the world, and some of the largest individuals can be 19 feet around and 240 feet tall. Its seed fibers are very much like cotton, so you may sometimes see the tree called the “Java cotton.”

Nature’s Brightly Colored Trees

Hopefully you now have a new appreciation for the trees around you. You may have recognized some of them, and some might be new. It’s easy to take things in nature for granted, but take a look at the colors in the trees the next time you go outside!