As someone who's been installing and maintaining landscapes across Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley for years now, I can tell you that fall color in North Texas is something special. I'm Cole A from New Day Landscaping, and after working with over 100 local families on their yards, I've learned which trees actually deliver on their promises when it comes to fall foliage.

I recently came across a great video from Ken at Village Green Lawn and Pest where he walks through some popular fall color trees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Ken knows his stuff when it comes to our North Texas climate, and I wanted to share some thoughts on his recommendations from a Fort Worth landscaper's perspective.

Why Fall Color Matters in Texas Landscapes

Here in North Texas, we don't get the dramatic fall displays you'll see up in New England or the Midwest, but that doesn't mean we can't have some beautiful color in our yards. The key is choosing trees that are adapted to our specific conditions - our clay soil, our heat, and our sometimes unpredictable weather patterns.

After working on properties throughout Tanglewood, Overton Park, and Riverside, I've seen which trees consistently perform well and which ones end up being maintenance headaches. Let me walk you through Ken's recommendations and add some of my own experience from working in Fort Worth specifically.

Crepe Myrtle - The Surprising Fall Performer

Ken starts off his video with crepe myrtles, and honestly, this surprised me too when I first got into the landscaping business. Most people think of crepe myrtles for their summer blooms, but they can put on a really nice show in fall too.

I've planted dozens of these across Fort Worth neighborhoods, and the fall color can range from bright yellow to deep red depending on the variety. What I really appreciate about crepe myrtles is that they're giving you two seasons of interest - those beautiful summer blooms and then the fall color as a bonus.

They're also relatively low-maintenance once established, which matters a lot to the families I work with who want a nice-looking yard without spending every weekend on upkeep. They handle our Texas heat like champs and don't require much water once they're established.

Bradford Pear - Beautiful But Problematic

Ken mentions Bradford pears in his video, and I'm glad he was honest about not recommending them anymore. I see these all over older Fort Worth neighborhoods, and here's the thing - they do have gorgeous fall color, that bright red he talks about is hard to miss.

But I haven't planted a Bradford pear in years, and I wouldn't recommend one to any of my clients. Ken's right about the splitting problem. These trees have weak branch structure, and after about 20-30 years, they tend to split apart, especially during our Texas ice storms or strong winds.

I've actually removed several Bradford pears for clients who were worried about them falling on their houses or cars. The fall color just isn't worth the risk and the eventual replacement cost. There are better options that'll give you color without the structural problems.

Chinese Pistachio - A Fort Worth Favorite

Now this is a tree I plant all the time, and it's one I recommend whenever someone asks about fall color. Ken's examples in the video show exactly what I love about Chinese pistachios - they develop this beautiful mix of yellow, orange, and red that really stands out in our North Texas landscapes.

What makes Chinese pistachio particularly good for Fort Worth is how well it handles our conditions. Our alkaline clay soil? No problem. Summer heat? Brings it on. Moderate drought? They can handle it once established. This is the kind of tree that makes my job easier because I know it's going to perform well year after year.

The growth rate is another plus. It's not so fast that you're dealing with weak wood like Bradford pears, but it's quick enough that you're not waiting 20 years to have a decent-sized shade tree. For families in Benbrook or Crowley who want results within a reasonable timeframe, Chinese pistachio is hard to beat.

Red Oak - The Classic Choice

Ken finishes up with red oak, and this is a tree that's been a staple in Texas landscapes forever for good reason. That deep red fall color he shows is exactly what makes these trees so popular, and they're one of the few trees that'll give you that true red color reliably in our area.

I've planted red oaks on properties throughout Fort Worth, and here's what I always tell clients - these are long-term investments. They grow moderately fast for an oak, but they're going to be around for generations if properly cared for. That's actually a selling point for a lot of the families I work with who are thinking about legacy trees.

One thing Ken mentions that's worth noting - red oaks will sometimes hold onto their leaves well into winter or even turn red again in January. This is pretty normal for our area and actually extends your color season, which is nice when everything else is dormant.

The size is something to consider though. These get big - we're talking 40-60 feet tall with a similar spread. Make sure you've got the space for it and that it's not going to interfere with power lines or grow too close to your house.

Choosing the Right Tree for Your Fort Worth Yard

After watching Ken's video and thinking about my own experience installing landscapes across the Fort Worth area, here's what I'd recommend considering when choosing a fall color tree:

Space requirements: How much room do you actually have? Chinese pistachio works great for smaller yards, while red oak needs more space.

Maintenance expectations: Crepe myrtles need some pruning, red oaks drop a lot of leaves, Chinese pistachios are relatively low-maintenance.

Long-term commitment: Are you planting for the next 5 years or the next 50 years? This changes which tree makes sense.

Other benefits: Think beyond just fall color - shade, summer interest, wildlife value all matter.

Soil conditions: All of these handle our clay soil reasonably well, but some adapt better than others.

Installation and Care Considerations

One thing that doesn't get covered in Ken's video but matters a lot from my perspective as a landscaper - proper installation makes all the difference. I've seen beautiful trees struggle because they weren't planted correctly for our Texas conditions.

Our clay soil compacts easily and doesn't drain well, so proper planting depth and soil preparation are crucial. I always make sure the root flare is visible and that we're not creating a bowl that'll collect water around the trunk.

Mulching matters too, especially in those first few years when the tree is getting established. A good 3-4 inch layer of mulch (but not touching the trunk) helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which makes a big difference during our hot Texas summers.

Why Local Expertise Matters

This is something I've learned through years of working specifically in Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley - what works great in Dallas might need some adjustment for our specific conditions. Even within the Fort Worth area, soil conditions can vary quite a bit.

When I'm working with clients in Ridglea Hills versus Crowley, I'm taking into account differences in soil composition, drainage patterns, and even microclimates within neighborhoods. That's the kind of local knowledge that comes from actually working in these areas day in and day out.

It's also why I appreciated Ken's video - he's talking specifically about trees that work in North Texas, not generic advice that might apply to Atlanta or Phoenix but doesn't really fit our situation here.

Looking Beyond Fall Color

While fall color is great and definitely adds seasonal interest to your landscape, it shouldn't be the only consideration when choosing a tree. I always encourage my clients to think about year-round value.

Chinese pistachio, for example, has nice structure even when it's bare in winter. Red oak provides massive shade in summer when you really need it. Crepe myrtle gives you those summer blooms plus interesting bark texture in winter.

The best landscape trees earn their keep throughout the year, not just during one season. That's the kind of value that makes sense for Fort Worth homeowners who want their yards to look good and function well twelve months a year.

Common Mistakes I See with Fall Color Trees

After working with over 100 local families, I've seen some patterns in what goes wrong with fall color trees:

Planting too close to structures: Red oaks especially need room to grow. I've had to remove trees that were planted 10 feet from a house and were causing foundation issues.

Wrong tree for the space: Putting a large oak in a small yard just creates problems down the road.

Ignoring soil preparation: Our clay soil needs amendment and proper drainage. Skipping this step leads to struggling trees.

Overwatering established trees: Once these trees are established, they don't need constant watering. Overwatering, especially in our poorly-draining clay, causes more problems than underwatering.

Expecting instant results: Even fast-growing trees take time. Be patient and focus on proper care rather than pushing rapid growth.

Ready to Add Fall Color to Your Fort Worth Landscape?

Choosing the right trees for fall color in North Texas requires understanding our local climate, soil conditions, and which varieties actually perform well in Fort Worth specifically. Whether you're looking at Chinese pistachio, red oak, or crepe myrtle, the key is matching the right tree to your specific property and long-term goals.

At New Day Landscaping, we've helped over 100 local families create beautiful, functional landscapes using trees and plants that thrive in our conditions. We offer competitive prices and believe in working together long-term, which means we're here to make sure your new trees get established properly and continue to perform well year after year.

If you're ready to add some fall color to your yard with trees that'll work well in Fort Worth, Benbrook, or Crowley, we'd love to help. We know exactly which varieties perform best in our specific conditions and how to install them right the first time. Contact us today at (817) 760-0479 to schedule your consultation!