Fall Ash Color

 

The leaves of the modesto ash trees in our neighborhood are nearing their peak of fall color. Being in a part of the country that is dominated by evergreens, it’s great to have some trees that produce an annual autumn color display, even though it only lasts for a few weeks. Of course, after it’s over, there’s quite a mess to clean up. At least it only happens once a year.

Large trees add a lot to the visual appeal of a neighborhood. They add a beauty to a neighborhood that can’t be replicated with architecture alone, and they can make a planned development look like more of a natural setting. I don’t really like neighborhoods that are built with the houses too close to each other and to the street that there isn’t enough room to plant and grow large trees.

Planting the same type of tree along the side of a street can make for a really attractive display of fall color. Although planting too many of the same type of tree can be risky. As more insects such as the ash borer are inadvertently imported from abroad, there is a risk that most of the mature trees in a particular area may be wiped out at the same time by a new disease or insect.

October 25 2008 02:25 pm | Ash