Fall fun in Chicagoland is right around the corner, see what Illinois trees are the most colorful in the area this Autumn
Updated for 2025
After a long, hot summer, we are finally experiencing the cool, crisp air of the autumn season in the Chicago area. The leaves are just beginning to change colors, which means that you can expect to see brilliant fall colors for the next month or so before the trees are bare. There are many great parks in the city of Chicago as well as in the surrounding suburbs for taking in the autumn foliage.
Autumn in the Midwest gives us one last chance to take in the natural beauty of the area before the winter inevitably sets in. There are so many trees in Chicago that put on a show with their fall colors and there are also many great areas both within the city and in the suburbs to view the stunning fall scenery. Even the trees in your own backyard will soon be showing their fall colors.
A view of one of many parks in downtown Chicago in Autumn
In this article, we will highlight some of the trees to look out for this fall when their colors change, as well as some of the best places in and around Chicago to view the fall foliage. Before we get too far into the fall, it is wise for homeowners to take care of the trees on their property and provide the last bit of fall maintenance that they need to survive the winter. Many types of trees benefit from late fall tree pruning and fertilization. If you would like professional assistance to ensure that your trees get the proper fall maintenance, call our professional arborists of Hendricksen Tree Care.
Trees in Chicago with Vibrant Fall Colors
A professional arborist can keep your Illinois trees bright and colorful this Fall
In our ongoing series about the trees of the Chicago area, we highlight common native species of trees that are found in and around Chicago. Several of these trees are quite beautiful once they have changed colors in the fall. The following are some common trees to look out for with impressive fall foliage:
Dogwood Trees
Dogwood trees are admired for their striking beauty throughout the year. In early spring, they burst into bloom with clusters of showy white, pink, or purple flowers that brighten the landscape. As the seasons shift, their foliage transforms, first taking on warm orange tones before deepening into a rich, vibrant red in autumn. This bold fall color makes dogwoods stand out among other trees.
Oak Trees
Oak tree foliage generally turns red or orange in the Fall time
The mighty oak is among the largest native trees in the Chicago area, and its expansive canopy is especially striking during the fall. Oak leaves shift through a brilliant spectrum, from yellow-orange to deep shades of orange and red, often displaying multiple colors on a single tree at once. Their broad, sturdy leaves make them a seasonal favorite, perfect for raking into piles for children to jump into.
Ash Trees
Ash tree leaves in the area tend to have a yellow color in the Fall
Like oak, ash trees are large, stately trees with wide-spreading canopies that become especially eye-catching in autumn. Their foliage transforms into a stunning mix of colors, ranging from yellow-green to rich shades of purple and red. With their dense, full crowns, ash trees create a bold display that stands out beautifully against the fall landscape.
Sassafras Trees
Sassafras trees can end up a deep reddish orange hue in the Autumn
Sassafras trees are fragrant, flowering ornamentals that offer beauty in every season. In autumn, they put on a particularly dazzling display as their leaves shift into brilliant shades of red and orange. Often, a single sassafras tree will showcase multiple colors at once, creating a vibrant, multihued canopy that adds striking contrast to the fall landscape.
Crabapple Trees
Crabapple trees usually turn a deep reddish to purple color in the fall time
Crabapple trees bring vibrant color to the landscape year-round, thanks to their showy blossoms and brightly hued fruits that appear in a wide range of shades. In autumn, their foliage adds to the spectacle, turning brilliant tones of orange and deep red, often with hints of purple, for a striking seasonal display.
Eastern Redbud Trees
Eastern redbuds are known for their brilliant color in every season, remaining just as striking in autumn as they are in spring. In early spring, they burst with clusters of purplish-pink blossoms, while in fall their heart-shaped leaves transform into glowing shades of yellow, orange, and red, creating a vibrant seasonal display.
Maple Trees
Maple trees are perhaps the fall favorite for Chicago area colors. They can vary from a bright yellow-green to very bright red & oranges
Maple trees are abundant throughout the Chicago area and are especially admired for their spectacular fall colors. Their broad leaves showcase a striking palette, shifting from yellow-green to vibrant orange and fiery red. With their full, rounded canopies glowing in brilliant hues, maples are a true autumn favorite and a highlight of the seasonal landscape.
Gingko Trees
Gingko trees have a very unique fan-shaped leaf that turns golden yellow in Autumn
Ginkgo trees are a standout in the fall, with their unique fan-shaped leaves turning a brilliant, golden yellow. When the leaves drop, they often blanket the ground in a radiant carpet, creating a breathtaking display around the tree’s base. Their vibrant foliage can even be enjoyed indoors, perfect for autumn decorations or pressed into a keepsake bookmark.
Red Mulberry Trees
Red mulberry trees are prized as ornamental favorites in spring and summer for their showy, colorful fruit, but they continue to offer beauty well into the fall. By autumn, the fruit has typically disappeared, yet the foliage puts on a warm display, shifting from bright orange to golden yellow. Unlike many other species, red mulberries hold onto their leaves late into the season, extending their vibrant presence in the landscape.
Basswood Trees
Basswoods / Lindens Are Great Trees That Provide Beauty & Shade Year-Round in Chicagoland When Properly Cared For
Basswood trees make a striking impression in autumn with their towering height and dense canopies. Their broad leaves shift into rich shades of orange, deep gold, and pale yellow, creating a warm seasonal display. Thanks to their thick foliage and long-lasting color, basswoods remain a standout feature in the fall landscape well into the season.
Sycamore Trees
When kept healthy, Sycamore trees can have a beautiful golden orange color across their large canopy in the Fall time
Sycamore trees are some of the most striking native trees in the fall, with towering canopies that transform into a mosaic of colors. Their leaves can shift through shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red, even appearing multiple colors on a single tree. The effect is especially dramatic when paired with the tree’s distinctive white or gray bark, making sycamores a truly standout feature of the autumn landscape.
Hickory Trees
Hickory tree leaves turn a golden yellow color in the Fall time
Hickory trees are majestic, large trees distinguished by their broad leaves and distinctive shaggy bark. Several species of hickory thrive in the Chicago area, and in the fall, their foliage transforms into warm shades of golden yellow and orange. The contrast between the dark, textured bark and the bright autumn leaves creates a striking and memorable seasonal display.
American Beech Tree
American Beech Trees brighten up Autumn in Chicagoland with their bright yellow leaves
American beech trees are celebrated for their oval-shaped leaves and smooth, silver-gray bark, which create a striking display in the fall. Their foliage transforms into rich shades of orange and golden bronze, beautifully contrasting with the tree’s pale bark. Remarkably, beech trees often retain their leaves well into winter, extending their visual impact long after many other trees have shed theirs.
Black Cherry Tree
Black cherry trees are eye-catching in spring and summer with their fragrant flowers and colorful fruit, and they continue to shine as one of Illinois’ most vibrant trees in the fall. Their leaves transition through the full spectrum of autumn colors, from yellow to orange to red. Meanwhile, the fruit often remains on the branches, ripening to deep shades of purple, adding another layer of seasonal beauty.
Birch Trees
Birch trees are particularly striking in the fall, with their slender white or gray trunks providing a dramatic contrast to their vibrant autumn foliage. Their leaves can turn a full spectrum of fall colors, from deep burgundy and red to bright orange and golden yellow. Against the light-colored trunks, these brilliant leaves create a stunning visual display in any landscape.
Willow Trees
Willow trees are characterized by their long, graceful, drooping branches covered in clusters of oval-shaped leaves. In the fall, these leaves turn a brilliant golden-yellow and often persist longer than the foliage of many other trees. The cascading limbs, adorned with glowing yellow leaves, create a captivating and elegant autumn display.
Locust Trees
Locust trees feature numerous small, oval-shaped leaves arranged in a pinnately compound pattern. In the fall, these leaves transform into brilliant shades of yellow, creating a striking and vibrant autumn display.
Elm Trees
Several species of elm trees are found throughout the Chicago area, prized for their wide canopies and excellent shade. Their oval-shaped leaves, edged with fine serrations, transform in the fall into warm shades of yellow and orange, adding vibrant color to the autumn landscape.
Magnolia Trees
Magnolia trees are cherished as ornamental trees for their large, showy flowers that bring elegance to any landscape. During spring and summer, their glossy, leathery leaves create a lush green backdrop, enhancing the tree’s overall beauty. In the fall, these leaves gradually transform into warm shades of yellow and rich brown, adding a subtle yet striking seasonal contrast that complements the tree’s architectural form.
Best Places throughout Chicagoland to View Fall Foliage
For the most part, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the beauty of fall foliage. Trees in your own yard and throughout your neighborhood will begin showcasing their vibrant autumn colors within just a few weeks. For those seeking truly breathtaking views, however, consider visiting one of the following locations for an unforgettable fall experience:
There are many scenic locations throughout Chicagoland to enjoy the Fall colors this year
Chicago Botanic Garden – Glencoe, IL
The Chicago Botanic Garden spans more than 300 acres and features 26 beautifully designed gardens. Visitors can explore the grounds at their own pace to enjoy the fall foliage or follow the Garden’s recommended fall foliage walk to experience the very best of its seasonal colors.
Maple Grove Forest Preserve – Downers Grove, IL
Maple Grove Forest Preserve is an ideal destination to admire maple trees in their vibrant fall colors. Visitors can stroll along the trails of one of DuPage County’s oldest forest preserves, immersing themselves in the rich, colorful hues of the autumn foliage.
Morton Arboretum – Lisle, IL
The Morton Arboretum, located in the western suburbs, spans 1,700 acres and is home to more than 4,000 tree species. Its Midwest collection showcases local favorites, such as maples, dogwoods, and oaks, at their peak fall colors. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant autumn foliage of non-native trees in other collections, including the impressive China Collection.
Lincoln Park – Chicago
Lincoln Park in Chicago offers a picturesque urban escape to enjoy fall colors, with its tree-lined paths and scenic green spaces providing vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold right in the heart of the city. Just nearby, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum adds a nature-focused experience, where visitors can stroll through gardens and outdoor areas while observing the seasonal transformation of native plants and trees. Together, these locations provide a perfect combination of city charm and natural beauty for autumn leaf enthusiasts.
Lurie Garden – Millennium Park, Chicago
Nestled within Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, Lurie Garden spans five acres of beautifully designed landscapes. The garden features several areas filled with native trees and shrubs that showcase brilliant fall colors. Its vibrant autumn foliage is perfectly complemented by the nearby Chicago skyline, creating a stunning blend of natural beauty and urban scenery.
Garfield Park Conservatory – East Garfield Park, Chicago
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest conservatories of its kind in the world. Inside, it houses over 600 species of plants, including a diverse collection of trees and shrubs. The surrounding grounds are also filled with mature trees, offering visitors stunning fall foliage and a truly impressive autumn landscape.
Art Institute of Chicago South Garden – Grant Park, Chicago
Located just south of the main entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago, this garden offers a peaceful oasis in the heart of downtown. The South Garden features a reflecting pool surrounded by native cockspur hawthorn trees, whose leaves transform into vibrant shades of red and orange each fall, creating a striking seasonal display.
Humboldt Park – Chicago
Humboldt Park, a 197-acre green space in Chicago’s namesake northwest-side neighborhood, offers a mix of natural beauty and urban scenery. Winding paths lead visitors past mature willow trees and along picturesque lagoons, while a well-manicured garden adds a touch of cultivated charm. Several areas of the park provide stunning views of the Chicago skyline, and in the fall, the vibrant foliage enhances the landscape, creating a striking contrast against the city backdrop.
Chicago Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail stretches 18 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, linking beaches, parks, and green spaces along the way. The trail provides exceptional views of both the lake and the Chicago skyline, making it a favorite for walkers, runners, and cyclists. In the fall, the vibrant colors of changing leaves add an extra layer of beauty, enhancing the scenic vistas of the city and lakeshore.
Starved Rock State Park – Oglesby, IL
Starved Rock State Park, located about 100 miles southwest of Chicago, is a popular destination for enjoying the outdoors. The park features scenic canyons, towering bluffs, and cascading waterfalls, along with native trees like oaks and hickories. In the fall, the foliage transforms into a brilliant array of colors, creating truly spectacular views throughout the park.
Matthiessen State Park – Oglesby, IL
Matthiessen State Park, located near Starved Rock in Oglesby, IL, is smaller but often considered even more picturesque. Its trails wind through rivers, waterfalls, caves, canyons, and valleys, offering a variety of stunning natural scenery. In the fall, the oak and red cedar trees transform into rich shades of rusty red and orange, creating striking contrasts against the park’s rugged bluffs and terrain.
Busse Woods – Rolling Meadows, IL
The Ned Brown Forest Preserve, also known as Busse Woods, spans 3,700 acres along the borders of Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove Village, and Schaumburg, IL. The preserve features over 10 miles of paved bicycle trails as well as pedestrian paths that wind through its diverse landscapes, including an elk pasture and Busse Lake. A section of Busse Woods, home to native flatwood forests with black ash trees, red maples, and white swamp oaks, is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Busse Woods boasts a rich variety of trees, including red maples, white swamp oaks, black ash, basswoods, hickories, and sugar maples, all of which paint the landscape in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red during the fall, creating a spectacular seasonal display.
Jackson Park – Chicago
Jackson Park in Chicago offers a peaceful retreat to enjoy the city’s fall colors. Its winding paths meander through mature trees, including maples and oaks, which transform into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. The park’s lagoons and open green spaces provide scenic spots to take in the autumn foliage, while views of Lake Michigan add a serene backdrop. Whether strolling or simply relaxing on a bench, visitors can experience a vibrant seasonal display right in the heart of the city.
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve – Darien, IL
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien, IL, is a scenic destination for experiencing vibrant fall colors. Its extensive trail system winds through mature forests filled with oak, maple, and hickory trees, whose leaves transform into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of the preserve’s namesake waterfalls and gently flowing streams, which are especially striking against the autumn foliage. With peaceful trails and natural beauty at every turn, Waterfall Glen offers a perfect setting for hiking, photography, or simply soaking in the fall scenery.
LaBagh Woods – Chicago
LaBagh Woods in Chicago is a hidden gem for enjoying the city’s fall foliage. Its forested trails wind through towering oaks, maples, and hickories, whose leaves transform into vivid shades of red, orange, and gold. The peaceful setting, dotted with streams and small wetlands, provides a tranquil escape from the urban bustle. Visitors can stroll or hike through the preserve, taking in the rich colors and crisp autumn air for a refreshing seasonal experience.
Potawatomi Woods – Northbrook, IL
Potawatomi Woods in Northbrook, IL, is a serene destination to experience the beauty of fall. Its trails wind through mature forests filled with oaks, maples, and hickories, which burst into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold each autumn. The preserve’s peaceful setting, with quiet paths and natural clearings, provides a perfect backdrop for hiking, walking, or photography. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing escape into nature while taking in the colorful seasonal landscape.
Skokie Lagoons – Glencoe and Winnetka, IL
Skokie Lagoons, spanning Glencoe and Winnetka, IL, is a beautiful destination for taking in fall colors. The network of trails winds through forests of oak, maple, and ash trees, which transform into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold each autumn. The lagoons themselves reflect the vibrant foliage, creating stunning mirrored views of the seasonal landscape. Visitors can hike, bike, or simply stroll along the paths while enjoying the peaceful natural beauty and crisp fall air.
Fall Tree Care Services from Hendricksen Tree Care
If your Chicagoland trees aren’t looking as colorful as you would like this Fall, contact Hendricksen Tree Care Services for an inspection to see what can be done to get them looking healthy all year round
The parks and forest preserves highlighted here are just a few of the many places in Chicago and its suburbs where you can enjoy stunning fall foliage. Be sure to explore local parks and preserves in your own town, where walking trails offer opportunities to admire the changing leaves. No matter where you go, the trees in the Chicago area are sure to showcase their most vibrant and beautiful colors during the autumn season.
When admiring the beauty of fall foliage, it is easy to forget that your trees need maintenance to get them prepared to survive the Chicago winter. Trees often need to be pruned during the fall to remove dead and damaged branches before the winter and they need to be fertilized to ensure that they have the nutrients necessary to make it through the harsh winter conditions.
At Hendricksen Tree Care, we provide complete tree care services in Chicago and the north and northwest Chicago suburbs to keep trees healthy and well-maintained. Our ISA certified arborists can handle a range of tree care services including tree trimming, fertilization, treatments for insects and disease, and tree removal when necessary. We admire the beauty of fall foliage in the Chicago area just like everyone else and we make it our goal to keep Chicago’s trees healthy so we can enjoy the beauty of fall leaves each year.
