Dix Park Fall Foliage Guide

DIX PARK FALL FOLIAGE GUIDE

In this guide, you’ll find information about the many species of trees that grow and thrive in Dix Park. Every autumn, these trees put on a magnificent display of oranges, reds and yellows to remind us that one season has come to an end, and another is just beginning. One of my favorite of these colorful messengers is the brilliant, yellow Gingko tree at the intersection of Hunt and Umstead Drives.

I trust you will find your own beloved favorites among the many trees that grow in the park. Happy Autumn!

Janet Cowell, Dix Park Conservancy CEO

Throughout the Park

OAK

PECAN

Willow Oaks, Quercos phellos (yellow) line the streets. These are probably 60-75 years old.

Occasionally you will see Pecan, Carya illinoinensis (rich golden yellow), planted in groves throughout the park, especially in front of buildings.

Magnolia Room

MAGNOLIA

RED MAPLE

This picnic and play area is flanked by large Southern Magnolias, Magnolia grandiflora.

These quintessential southern garden trees are evergreen, meaning they do not lose their leaves in winter. They are native to the coast of the southeast, especially in urban areas. There are also a few Red Maples, Acer rubrum (brilliant reds and oranges) here.

Flower Cottage

DOGWOOD

OAK

MAGNOLIA

Flower Cottage is nestled in large oak trees, including Water Oak, Quercus nigra (yellow), Post Oak, Quercus stellata (golden brown), White Oak, Quercus alba (red, orange), Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora (evergreen), and understory Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida (red, purple).

Hunt Drive

OAK

SYCAMORE

GINKGO

As you enter the park at Hunt Drive you are immediately greeted by a relatively young White Oak, Quercus alba, (red, orange) at the corner and three Southern Red Oaks, Quercus falcata, (reddish brown) as you progress. In the back you may notice three Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, (yellow, orange) along the train tracks. All throughout Dix Park the streets are lined with Willow Oaks, Quercus phellos, (yellow).

These are not Pin Oaks, as many folks assume.

The shape of the leaves of these trees resembles a Willow tree. A Pin Oak is actually a lobed leaf with sharp bristles.

At the intersection of Hunt Drive and Umstead Drive you will find the most exquisite of all fall trees at Dix Park. The great Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, of Dix Park will be enshrouded in brilliant golden leaves with an apron of golden leaves radiating out from the tree on the ground.

A sight not to be missed!

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Park History Cemetery

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Red Oaks, QuercusRed rubra Oaks, Quercus rubra Sweet Gum, Liquidambar Sweet Gum, styraciflua Liquidambar styraciflua White Oaks, Quercus White albaOaks, Quercus alba

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Blackjack Oaks, Blackjack Oaks, Quercus marilandicaQuercus marilandica Pecan, Carya illinoinensis Pecan, Carya illinoinensis Black Cherry, Prunus Black serotina Cherry, Prunus serotina Red Oaks, QuercusRed rubra Oaks, Quercus rubra

Harvey HillHarvey Hill

Bald Cypress, Taxodium Bald Cypress, distichumTaxodium distichum Flowering Dogwoods, Flowering Dogwoods, Cornus florida Cornus florida Post Oaks, Quercus Post stellata Oaks, Quercus stellata Red Oaks, QuercusRed rubra Oaks, Quercus rubra White Oaks, Quercus White albaOaks, Quercus alba

Rocky Branch Greenway

SYCAMORE

CYPRESS

BIRCH

Along the Rocky Branch Greenway you’ll find a mix of our native riparian trees, such as Hackberry, Celtis laevigata (yellow with purple berries), Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum (reddish brown), Box Elder, Acer negundo (golden yellow), Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis (yellow, orange), River Birch, Betula nigra (golden yellow), and Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera (yellow).

POPLAR

The Grove

OAK

ASH

PECAN

SWEET GUM

As you pass through the Boylan Street entrance, you’ll see the Grove on your left and the greenway along Rocky Branch.

As you progress up S. Boylan Avenue large Red, Quercus rubra, (yellow, brown, red) and White Oaks, Quercus alba (red, orange) alternate along the road. Mixed in you will see Ash, Fraxinus spp. (yellow, deep purple, maroon), Pecan, Carya illinoinensis, (golden yellow), and Sweet Gum , Liquidambar styraciflua (yellow, maroon, orange, purple).

Finally, a few southern red maples enjoy the well-drained hillside of the grove.

Oak Room

CHERRY

OAK

PECAN

The Oak Room playground is surrounded by large Red Oaks, Quercus rubra (yellow, brown, red) and Blackjack Oaks, Quercus marilandica (golden brown). Also, a large Black Cherry, Prunus serotina, can be seen here turning a brilliant orange and yellow and a sizeable Pecan, Carya illinoinensis, turning a rich golden yellow.

Harvey Hill

CYPRESS

OAK

DOGWOOD

At Harvey Hill you will see an interesting array of native trees. These were no doubt planted over the course of Dix Park’s long history. Notable tree species include Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum (reddish-brown) bordered by large Red, Quercus rubra (yellow, brown, red) and White Oaks, Quercus alba (red, orange). Also, Post Oaks, Quercus stellata, with their leathery, dark green leaves in the shape of a Maltese cross turn golden brown in the fall. There is a nice understory of ornamental trees here, such as Flowering Dogwoods, Cornus florida, that turn scarlet red in the fall.

Dix Park Conservancy P.O. Box 28575 Raleigh, NC 27611 919.987.1380 hello@dixparkconservancy.org dixparkconservancy.org Created in partnership with Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Assistance from Neal Wisenbaker, City of Raleigh Horticulturalist © 2022 Copyright Dix Park Conservancy