Vermont’s legendary fall foliage attracts thousands of visitors each autumn, with maple trees taking center stage in this spectacular natural display. The state’s climate creates perfect conditions for maples to develop their most intense pigmentation before winter arrives.
Whether you’re a local gardener or simply appreciating Vermont’s landscape, these maple varieties offer the most breathtaking transformation from summer greens to autumn’s fiery palette.
1. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
The undisputed king of Vermont’s landscape and the official state tree. During peak foliage season, these majestic trees transform hillsides into a patchwork of orange, red, and yellow.
Walking through a grove of sugar maples in October feels like stepping into a painting. My neighbors in Stowe have lined their driveway with these beauties, creating a stunning entrance that’s worth photographing every fall.
Beyond their famous fall color, they’re also the source of Vermont’s liquid gold – maple syrup. These trees thrive in the state’s cold winters and can live for 300+ years when properly situated.
2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Early color development makes these trees stand out when most of Vermont’s landscape is still transitioning. The crimson display begins in late September and often lasts longer than other varieties.
Growing up in Burlington, I watched our backyard red maple reliably turn scarlet weeks before the neighborhood sugar maples changed. Their adaptability to various soil conditions makes them perfect for Vermont’s diverse terrain.
Look for these beauties along Vermont’s wetland edges and stream banks where they naturally thrive. Their tolerance for both dry and wet conditions has earned them the nickname “swamp maple” among local gardeners.
3. Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
Unlike its showier cousins, this understory tree offers subtle charm with clear yellow fall color. The distinctive green and white striped bark provides year-round interest in Vermont woodlands.
During a hike near Mount Mansfield last fall, I spotted these smaller maples glowing like lanterns beneath the forest canopy. Their modest height (20-25 feet) makes them perfect for smaller Vermont properties or woodland gardens.
Also called moosewood because Vermont’s moose population browses on its twigs and bark. The striped maple’s delicate branches and large leaves create a tropical appearance that contrasts beautifully with Vermont’s rugged landscape.
4. Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum)
Hardy native that thrives in Vermont’s higher elevations where other maples struggle. Fall brings a warm palette of orange-yellow to these small trees, perfect for naturalized areas.
Last October, while visiting friends near Killington, I noticed these resilient maples dotting the mountainside with golden splashes. Their multi-stemmed growth habit creates natural screening without overwhelming smaller landscapes.
Many Vermont gardeners overlook this species, but its ability to handle poor soil and cold temperatures makes it invaluable for challenging sites. The reddish seed clusters add visual interest well into winter.
5. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Not native but increasingly popular in sheltered Vermont gardens. The finely dissected leaves turn spectacular shades of crimson and purple, creating focal points in fall landscapes.
My old neighbor in Middlebury successfully grew three varieties in her protected courtyard. She positioned them where afternoon sun would backlight the leaves, creating a stained-glass effect each October.
Choose hardier cultivars like ‘Bloodgood’ or ‘Emperor I’ for Vermont’s climate. When planted in locations protected from harsh winter winds, these architectural trees can survive and thrive even in the state’s colder northern counties.
6. Freeman Maple (Acer × freemanii)
A hybrid cross between red and silver maples that combines the best traits of both parents. Freeman maples develop reliable scarlet-orange fall color even in Vermont’s challenging climate.
The town green in Bennington features several ‘Autumn Blaze’ Freeman maples that stop traffic during peak foliage season. Their upright oval shape works well in Vermont’s village landscapes where space might be limited.
Fast growth rate makes these trees excellent choices for newer Vermont properties needing quick shade. They’ve become favorites for roadside plantings throughout the state because they tolerate road salt better than sugar maples.
7. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark creates winter interest after the russet-red leaves have fallen. Though less common in Vermont gardens, this slow-growing maple rewards patient gardeners with multi-season appeal.
During a garden tour in Manchester last year, I was captivated by a 30-year-old specimen that had weathered decades of Vermont winters. The owner had positioned it near their entry where visitors could appreciate the peeling bark up close.
Plant in locations protected from harsh winter winds for best results in Vermont’s climate. The compact size (20-30 feet at maturity) makes paperbark maple suitable for smaller properties throughout the state.
8. Three-Flowered Maple (Acer triflorum)
An uncommon maple gaining popularity among Vermont gardeners who appreciate its golden-yellow to orange-red fall display. The exfoliating bark resembles paperbark maple but with a lighter, honey-brown color.
At the Horsford Gardens nursery near Burlington, a specimen planted decades ago demonstrates how well this Asian species adapts to Vermont conditions. Its trifoliate leaves (similar to poison ivy but larger) turn remarkable colors in late October.
Consider this tree if you’re looking for something unique that still delivers classic maple fall color. Its moderate growth rate and eventual height of 20-25 feet work well in most Vermont residential landscapes.
9. Miyabe Maple (Acer miyabei)
Hardy enough for Vermont’s coldest regions, this lesser-known maple offers reliable yellow fall color. The thick, corky bark develops interesting patterns as the tree matures, adding winter interest to the landscape.
During a particularly harsh winter near St. Johnsbury, I watched these trees sail through temperatures of -25°F without branch dieback. Their rounded crown creates excellent shade for Vermont patios and outdoor living spaces.
The ‘State Street’ cultivar has proven especially successful in Vermont’s urban settings where compacted soil and road salt challenge other maples. Their clean golden fall color complements the reds and oranges of other maple species.
10. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Fast-growing native that brings pale yellow fall color to Vermont’s riverbanks and wetlands. While not as brilliantly colored as other maples, their massive size creates impressive golden canopies along waterways.
Paddling down the Winooski River last October, I drifted beneath towering silver maples that created a golden tunnel effect against the blue sky. Their adaptability to wet conditions makes them valuable for problematic drainage areas on Vermont properties.
Use cautiously in residential settings as their brittle wood and aggressive roots can cause problems. In the right location – away from structures and with plenty of space – they contribute significantly to Vermont’s fall landscape.
11. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Controversial but common throughout Vermont towns, offering dependable yellow fall color. The ‘Crimson King’ cultivar, with its purple-red summer foliage, develops deep bronze tones in autumn.
Walking through older neighborhoods in Burlington, you’ll spot these large maples lining streets planted generations ago. While considered somewhat invasive in natural areas, their urban tolerance makes them staples in Vermont’s town landscapes.
For managed landscapes where native alternatives aren’t practical, newer cultivars like ‘Princeton Gold’ provide striking yellow fall displays. Just avoid planting near natural areas where they might spread into Vermont’s forests.
12. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
Small-statured maple that packs a powerful punch with its fiery red fall display. Perfect for Vermont gardeners with limited space who still want dramatic autumn color.
The community garden in Montpelier features several multi-stemmed specimens that create a blazing backdrop for fall harvests. Their compact size (15-20 feet) works beautifully in smaller Vermont yards where larger maples would overwhelm the space.
Consider this adaptable tree for challenging sites like roadside plantings or windy locations. Though non-native, it’s well-behaved in Vermont gardens and provides excellent screening when grown as a multi-stemmed shrub form.