In this Cottage Life article, John Ransom from Davey's Toronto area gives insight into which trees in Canada are the most vibrant and why. 

Posted: September 30, 2025

Fall-colored leaves on a tree in an orchard.The right fall weather conditions—cool nights and warm, sunny days—produce the most vibrant autumn colours, but certain trees are natural showstoppers. “While temperature dictates intensity, it’s just one factor that plays a role in painting a striking fall landscape,” says John Ransom, a senior area manager with Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada. “Trees differ in the types and concentrations of pigments they produce,” he says.

These pigments include chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins; they’re responsible for a tree’s green, yellow, red, or orange foliage. Plus, evolution and genetics play a part.

“Species that evolved in open-canopy environments, for example, maples, may have developed brighter colours as a form of photoprotection (to prevent damage from sunlight) or even to deter insects,” says Ransom.

Time to get your leaf-peeping pants on! Here are nine native Canadian trees born to bust out that fabulous fall foliage.

To continue reading this article, click here. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company, headquartered in Kent, Ohio, provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. As one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Davey's 12,000 employees have been dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions since 1880. Apply today to join the Davey legacy, and learn about how we're growing with our new SEED Campus

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