Liquidambar styraciflua Burgundy - Liquidambar
Liquidambar trees put on a most reliable show of Fall foliage color in Southern California. The Liquidambar Burgundy is an narrowly upright tree. The leaves turn a dark shade of red. All Liquidambar's have some drawbacks in the landscape that should be planned for. Their roots are notorious for lifting patios, walks, and foundations. They drop spiny round fruit that are difficult to walk on or clean out of a lawn. But there are no better trees for providing consistently beautiful fall color in Southern California. I prefer to plant Liquidambar trees in background areas where their leaves and seedpods can fall and not bother anybody. Liquidambar styraciflua is very successful in near boggy situations, and in some areas these trees have become a pest.
Deep red leaves of Liquidamber Burgundy in Fall. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Other trees that reliably produce Colorful Fall Foliage in our dry climate:
Cotinus coggygria
Ginkgo biloba
Pistacia chinense