If you want more of those autumn colors in your yard next fall, plant deciduous trees now.

Fall is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs, since the relocation is easier on dormant root systems that will then get a jump start on growth next spring.

There are many colorful species native to Washington that are also excellent for wildlife.

Maples come to mind for many fall red leaf fans. We recommend three natives that benefit seed-eating grosbeaks, woodpeckers, nuthatches, finches, quail, and grouse, wood-eating deer, mountain beaver and beaver, and nectar-eating bees:

Birches turn nicely yellow in the fall and in addition to seeds, they provide lots of insects for kinglets, sapsuckers, warblers and chickadees, plus leaves for mourning cloak and swallowtail butterfly larvae. Keep both these natives wet and in full sun:

Oaks often provide warm oranges and browns and of course their acorns are consumed by a wide variety of birds and mammals. If you’ve got the space and patience for growth, try:

For gorgeous golden color, there’s nothing like Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Its catkins are eaten by grouse, pheasants, and siskins, winter buds by orioles and purple finches, leaves, twigs and wood by everything from deer to rabbits. Aspen’s naturally thicket-forming habit makes it most suitable for larger landscapes.

Check out your local tree nursery’s selection of many other deciduous trees and get planting before freeze-up.