Trees with yellow leaves in summer play a significant role in enhancing the beauty of any landscape. In the summer season, when the weather is favorable for growth, these trees grow abundantly and create a stunning display of beauty.
The soft and subtle yellowish hue of the leaves adds a unique texture and contrast to the plain, dull surroundings. Check out the list below for detailed descriptions of these trees.
Adding a pop of color to your yard with small trees that have yellow leaves can completely transform an outdoor space. While many trees put on a show in the fall with their autumn foliage, some small trees produce yellow leaves, flowers or fruit during other seasons as well. With the right selection and care, these lively trees will enhance your landscape all year long.
Why Do Tree Leaves Turn Yellow?
Before diving into specific small tree varieties it’s helpful to understand why leaves change color. The green pigment in leaves is chlorophyll which is necessary for photosynthesis. In the fall, deciduous trees stop producing chlorophyll, allowing other pigments to show through, like the yellows and oranges from carotenoids.
Additionally, shorter daylight hours in autumn trigger the production of anthocyanins, resulting in brilliant reds and purples. Cooler weather causes the breakdown of green chlorophylls while also forming a layer of cells that seals each leaf off at its base, allowing the leaf to separate from the tree.
While autumn brings the most dramatic leaf transformations, other factors like pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies can cause yellowing at other times. Providing small trees with proper sunlight, water, drainage and care will maximize vibrant foliage.
7 Terrific Choices for Small Trees with Yellow Leaves
Here are some excellent options to consider for every yard
1. Golden Raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
This small ornamental tree grows 20-40 feet tall and wide, making it a great option for small yards. The leaves emerge pinkish bronze in spring then turn green Clusters of yellow flowers bloom in summer, followed by papery seed pods The foliage transforms to vibrant yellow in fall. hardy in zones 5-9. Prefers full sun.
2. Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium)
Native to northern China, yellowhorn grows up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It is valued for its foot-long leaves that emerge red, turn green in summer, and become golden yellow in fall. Fragrant white flowers bloom in springtime, followed by long seed pods. Grows best in zones 5-8 with full sun to part shade.
3. American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus)
A native North American small tree growing 15-30 feet tall. It has oval green leaves that turn brilliant shades of yellow and orange-red in fall. Clusters of puffy flowers appear in spring, resembling billowing smoke. Grows well in zones 4-8 with full sun and well-drained soil. Great for naturalizing.
4. Golden Raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
This small ornamental tree grows 20-40 feet tall and wide, making it a great option for small yards. The leaves emerge pinkish bronze in spring then turn green. Clusters of yellow flowers bloom in summer, followed by papery seed pods. The foliage transforms to vibrant yellow in fall. Hardy in zones 5-9. Prefers full sun.
5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
A small understory tree growing 20-30 feet tall and wide. This native tree is prized for its rounded heart-shaped leaves that start out red-purple, turn green in summer, and become golden yellow in fall. Clusters of pink blossoms cover the branches in early spring before the leaves emerge. Grows in zones 4-9.
6. Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
Also known as ironwood, this slow-growing understory tree reaches heights of 20-40 feet. The leaves are double-toothed and green most of the year, turning pale yellow in autumn. Hop hornbeam is hardy in zones 3-9 and adaptable to sun or shade. Interesting hop-like seed clusters hang from the branches in winter.
7. Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
A manageable small tree that grows 15-25 feet tall and wide. It produces large panicles of aromatic creamy white flowers in late spring. The leaves emerge green and develop attractive fall color in shades of yellow, orange and reddish-purple. Hardy in zones 3-7. Does best in full sun.
Caring for Small Trees with Yellow Leaves
Proper planting and care will help small yellow-leaved trees thrive. Here are some tips:
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Select the right tree for your growing zone and environment. Account for the tree’s mature size.
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Prepare a wide planting hole and loosen the roots if pot-bound. Set the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery.
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Water new transplants thoroughly and continue deep waterings during the first year. Add mulch to retain moisture.
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Stake the tree initially if needed to prevent blow-over. Remove supports after 1-2 years once established.
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Prune crossing or damaged branches. Allow the natural form to develop with minimal pruning.
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Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer each spring or use compost/manure around the base.
Bring Vibrant Color Into Your Landscape
Incorporating one of these lively small trees with yellow foliage into your yard will add visual interest and provide habitat for birds and pollinators. With their manageable size, it’s easy to find an ideal spot to highlight their foliage and flowers. A bit of planning and attentive care will be rewarded with years of enjoyment observing their seasonal transformations.
Trees in Fall That Usually Have Yellow Leaves
The following trees reliably produce yellow leaves.
There are about a dozen species of hickory trees (Carya spp.) in North America (including pecan trees, which are in the same genus), and they all produce very distinct yellow leaves in the fall. With a bit of practice, you can learn to quickly pick out hickory trees amid the forest during the autumn, and it’s often a bit surprising just how many have been lurking in the forest the whole year.
Hickories typically produce some of the most attractive yellow leaves of the season, and they’re likely better described as gold or bronze.
There are between one and two dozen ash tree species in North America, depending on which authority’s arrangement you prefer. Fall color varies between the species, but many produce pale yellow to golden foliage.
One of the most common ashes – the green ash (F. pennsylvanica) – almost always produces yellow leaves in the fall, as do velvet (F. velutina), black (F. nigra), and blue ashes (F. quadrangulata).
These huge, fast-growing pioneer species usually produce rich yellow leaves in the fall. You may spot them along forest edges, but they’re often easiest to spot by looking for yellow-leaved trees rising a bit above the surrounding canopy of oaks and hickories.
Known to biologists as Liriodendron tulipifera, tuliptrees are sometimes called yellow poplars or tulip poplars. But this is a misnomer – they’re not closely related to poplar trees. In fact, they’re members of the magnolia family.
Ginkgo trees (Gingko biloba) aren’t native to the U.S., but we’re including them for two reasons: They’re widely planted ornamentals, so you may see them pretty commonly in some areas, and they’re absolutely stunning in the autumn.
This incredible fall color, combined with their unusual leaf shape and overall growth habit, make gingko trees one of the most spectacular species to observe in the fall.
Though not one of the most jaw-dropping trees in the autumn forest, hop hornbeams (Ostrya virginiana) produce pale yellow to orange leaves in the fall. This species is often confused with the hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka the ironwood, but it tends to grow at higher elevations, rather than riparian areas.
Hop hornbeams produce pretty, if not spectacular, yellow leaves, which are often overshadowed by the eye-popping yellows of hickories and some others.
As a group, maples (Acer spp.) are famous for their incredible fall color. However, most of the true rockstars of the group – looking at you, sugar (A. saccharum) and red maples (Acer rubrum) — produce red or orange foliage in the fall.
That’s not the case for striped maples (A. pensylvanicum), which usually produce bright yellow leaves in the autumn. Field maples (A. campestre) and ash-leaf maples (A. negundo) also produce yellow leaves in fall.
While most people think of the stately and evergreen southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) when envisioning magnolia trees, there are several deciduous species in the genus. Few produce fantastic fall foliage, but cucumber (M. acuminata) and sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana) both produce pale yellow leaves.
The leaves of other deciduous magnolias, such as the incredible bigleaf magnolia (M. macrophylla), typically turn pale brown and quickly fall off the tree.
One of the niftiest trees in the forest, the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is another species that produces yellowish leaves. Though they’re rarely especially bright yellow or gold, the leaves are still quite attractive, thanks to their respectable size and interesting shape.
Though these trees are capable of reaching 40 feet in height, they’re often much smaller. This helps provide a splash of color to the forest understory during autumn.
A tree that’s already famous for its show-stopping purple spring buds, the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) bears bright yellow, heart-shaped leaves in the autumn.
Aside from the colors this tree offers at different parts of the year, the eastern redbud also retains its bean pods into the winter, which further increases its visual interest, making it a favorite of homeowners and landscaping professionals.
Perhaps not surprisingly, given their close relationship with hickory trees, black walnuts (Juglans nigra) also bear yellow to gold leaves in the fall. The yellow fall leaf color of these trees is visually appealing in its own right, but the contrast between the yellow color and the trees’ black bark makes them especially striking.
Other black walnut relatives with yellow fall foliage include butternut (J. cinerea) and California walnut trees (J. californica).
Most oak trees go one of two routes in the fall: They either produce brilliant red, purple or maroon leaves, or they bear drab, brown leaves, which won’t inspire you to whip out your camera. But a few – including the chestnut oak (Quercus montana) – do bear fairly bright yellow leaves.
Water oaks (Q. nigra) may also produce yellow leaves at times, though most are simply pale brown.
Most birch trees – including river birches (Betula nigra), yellow birches (B. alleghaniensis), paper birches (B. papyrifera) and others – produce pale yellow leaves in the fall.
Along with their often-distinctive bark and attractive growth habits, their attractive all foliage helps make them popular trees among nature lovers, homeowners, and professional landscapers alike.
Various Types of Trees With Yellow Leaves in Summer
| Growing Season | All year round |
| Leaf Shape | Linear |
| Specific Needs |
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| Common Pests | Japanese beetles |
The dawn redwood of the Cupressaceae family is a type of deciduous conifer that can be found in the temperate region of China. It is a visually striking tree with an unusually upright, columnar form. The bark has an attractive cinnamon-red color and peels in thin horizontal strips as the tree matures.
Its lacy leaves turn yellow during the summer season and its sawtooth serrations allow it to tolerate windy conditions very well. Unusual for a deciduous species, cones can still be seen on the tips of branches during winter months.
Are your CITRUS TREE LEAVES going yellow? What causes it and how do you fix it?
FAQ
What kind of tree has small yellow leaves?
Hickories typically produce some of the most attractive yellow leaves of the season, and they’re likely better described as gold or bronze.
How do I fix yellow leaves on my tree?
Watering Issues
If trees aren’t hydrated, the leaves can turn yellow as they try to conserve water. Test your tree’s moisture by using the screwdriver test. Stick a screwdriver into the soil. If it’s hard to push in, chances are the tree is thirsty and could use a deep watering.
What tree has tiny yellow leaves in the fall?
Hickory, ash, some maples, the yellow poplar (tulip tree), some oaks (white, chestnut, bear), some sassafras, some sweetgum, beech, birch, and sycamore trees have yellow leaves in the fall.
What kind of tree has yellow fan like leaves?
The tree that is most commonly known for its fan-shaped leaves is the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba). Ginkgo leaves are distinctively shaped like a fan or a butterfly, with a unique split at the tip.
What does a yellow tree look like in the fall?
The leaves are a beautiful buttery yellow that can light up any landscape. When the leaves fall, they create a stunning carpet of gold that can look like a painting. These trees provide a unique pop of color in the fall, adding a special touch to any garden or landscape.
What trees turn yellow in fall?
Honeylocust is another fantastic choice if you want a tree that turns a lovely golden-yellow in fall. Native to central North America, this tree is known for its fern-like, compound leaves that create a light, airy canopy. When autumn arrives, these leaves turn a brilliant yellow, creating a dappled sunlight effect that brightens up any landscape.
Do all trees have yellow leaves?
Speaking of leaves, we normally see that most trees possess green leaves. But did you know that there are other trees that produce yellow leaves? In fact, some tree species produce green leaves but the color changes to yellow whenever seasons change. In this article, we have listed fifteen tree species with beautiful yellow leaves.
Which buckeye tree has yellow leaves?
Zones 4-8. Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) – The Ohio buckeye is a small to medium sized tree that generally produces yellow fall foliage, but the leaves may sometimes be red or orange, depending on weather conditions. Zones 3-7.
What color trees grow in fall?
When cool, crisp days arrive, you’ll be glad you chose landscape trees with yellow fall foliage. Yellow hues are the backbone of a late-season display punctuated by oranges, russets, and scarlets. What yellow-leafed trees grow in your outdoor living space?
What color is a yellow deciduous & evergreen plant?
Yellow deciduous and evergreen species bring to the usual monotonous composition of our villas luxury and a sense of celebration. Some forms and varieties are consistently Golden, the color of other ephemeral, more often manifested in the spring (on young leaves) and autumn (before leaf fall).