and i'm originally from vermont up on the canadian border so i know what a real winter is! lol! really do miss the leaf peeping season. its just not the same here in tenn. colors are much more muted. but it is alot here warmer, anyway. lol!
however, here in the south they are considered invasive and need to be kept in check as you can see from the 3rd picture. me, i happen to like having them around.