27 years ago, about two years after we moved into our current home, I planted several 8 ft Sugar Maples (Acer Saccharum)
and one special red Japanese Maple in our front yard.
Only ONE reason: I wanted my young children to be able to take a beautiful Fall leaf specimen to school (or wherever) and be able to say,
"This came from my yard".
Now the sugar maple trees are huge, well over 30 ft tall, and the foliage color is magnificent every Fall, except for last year
.
The Sugar Maples change about the 2nd week of November; the red Japanese Maple in mid-December, just in time for Christmas!
People stop and just stare or take pics, or they go slowly and crane their necks to see, or they get out and take serious pictures---
Many have come to the front door to ask if they could take a family photo while standing underneath them.
So of course it's a matter of pride every year when the leaves begin turning, and when they peak it's just downright ridiculous how gorgeous they are.
About mid-morning the sun hits them in such a way that the leaves look like they're on fire, and all day long they have a different look
because of the sun's changing angles, etc.
Here are just a few pics from different angles.....(note: they peak at different times, varying as much as a week.)