It is well-known that maple is a key contributor in spectacular fall colors........California wilderness has some species of this genus ...the big leaf maples....
But the vibrant color-changing kind don't grow naturally in California....so, autumn here is rather bland, compared to Eastern region........
Some time back, while riding around Orange county, I came across this stunning maple in autumnal attire...I was thrilled.
Most likely it was a red maple...
After dozens of pictures and good amount of time gazing at the spectacular canopy, when I left, thanked the owner for planting the tree...
The Japanese maples are grown as Ornamental plant in some yards.......mostly in the Japanese gardens..
Got to know, in the genus Acer (maple), there exist more than 100 species.........some well-known species being Amur, big leaf, Norway, Japanese, hornbeam, hedge, sycamore, vine leaf, tatarian, red, paperbark, silver, sugar........