US State Trees

Each U.S. state has designated an official state tree, representing the state's natural heritage and forest resources. These trees were chosen for their historical significance, economic importance, or prevalence within the state.

State trees serve as symbols of environmental stewardship and are often protected species that play crucial roles in their local ecosystems.

State Trees Directory

State Official Tree Scientific Name Year Adopted
Alabama Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris 1949
Alaska Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis 1962
Arizona Palo Verde Parkinsonia florida 1954
Arkansas Pine Tree Pinus echinata 1939
California California Redwood Sequoia sempervirens 1937
Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens 1939
Connecticut White Oak Quercus alba 1947
Delaware American Holly Ilex opaca 1939
Florida Sabal Palm Sabal palmetto 1953
Georgia Live Oak Quercus virginiana 1937
Hawaii Candlenut Tree Aleurites moluccana 1959
Idaho Western White Pine Pinus monticola 1935
Illinois White Oak Quercus alba 1908
Indiana Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera 1931
Iowa Oak Quercus 1961
Kansas Cottonwood Populus deltoides 1937
Kentucky Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 1956
Louisiana Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum 1963
Maine Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus 1945
Maryland White Oak Quercus alba 1941
Massachusetts American Elm Ulmus americana 1941
Michigan Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus 1955
Minnesota Red Pine Pinus resinosa 1953
Mississippi Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora 1938
Missouri Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 1955
Montana Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa 1949
Nebraska Cottonwood Populus deltoides 1972
Nevada Single-Leaf Pinyon Pinus monophylla 1953
New Hampshire White Birch Betula papyrifera 1947
New Jersey Red Oak Quercus rubra 1950
New Mexico Piñon Pine Pinus edulis 1949
New York Sugar Maple Acer saccharum 1956
North Carolina Pine Pinus 1963
North Dakota American Elm Ulmus americana 1947
Ohio Ohio Buckeye Aesculus glabra 1953
Oklahoma Redbud Cercis canadensis 1937
Oregon Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii 1939
Pennsylvania Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis 1931
Rhode Island Red Maple Acer rubrum 1964
South Carolina Palmetto Sabal palmetto 1939
South Dakota Black Hills Spruce Picea glauca 1947
Tennessee Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 1947
Texas Pecan Carya illinoinensis 1919
Utah Blue Spruce Picea pungens 1933
Vermont Sugar Maple Acer saccharum 1949
Virginia Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 1956
Washington Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla 1947
West Virginia Sugar Maple Acer saccharum 1949
Wisconsin Sugar Maple Acer saccharum 1949
Wyoming Cottonwood Populus sargentii 1947

Categories of State Trees

Evergreen Trees

  • Alaska - Sitka Spruce
  • California - California Redwood
  • Idaho - Western White Pine
  • Maine - Eastern White Pine

Deciduous Trees

  • Kentucky - Tulip Poplar
  • Tennessee - Tulip Poplar
  • Ohio - Ohio Buckeye
  • Vermont - Sugar Maple

Flowering Trees

  • Virginia - Flowering Dogwood
  • Mississippi - Magnolia
  • North Carolina - Pine
  • Michigan - White Pine

Fruit-Bearing Trees

  • Hawaii - Candlenut Tree
  • Oregon - Douglas Fir
  • Texas - Pecan
  • South Carolina - Palmetto

Interesting Tree Facts

Economic Impact

Many state trees were chosen for their importance to local timber and paper industries.

Conservation Status

Several state trees are protected species, helping to raise awareness about forest conservation.

Height Records

Several state trees, including the California Redwood and Sitka Spruce, rank among the tallest tree species in the world.

Longevity

Many state trees can live for centuries, with some species like the California Redwood living for over 2,000 years.

Cultural Significance

State trees often have deep cultural connections, like Hawaii's Kukui tree, which has been used traditionally for medicine and lighting.

Wildlife Impact

State trees provide crucial habitat and food sources for local wildlife, supporting entire ecosystems.

History of State Trees

1908

First State Tree Designation

Illinois becomes the first state to designate an official state tree, choosing the White Oak.

1919

Early Adoption

Maine designates the Eastern White Pine as its state tree, becoming one of the early states to do so.

1937-1939

Peak Designation Period

Multiple states, including California, Georgia, and Arkansas, designate their official state trees.

1959

Hawaii's Statehood

Hawaii joins the Union and designates the Kukui (Candlenut) as its state tree.

1962

Alaska's Choice

Alaska selects the Sitka Spruce as its state tree, completing the list of state tree designations.

Did You Know?

Shared State Trees

The White Oak is the state tree of both Illinois and Connecticut, while the Tulip Poplar is shared by Kentucky and Tennessee.

Oldest Designation

Illinois was the first state to designate an official state tree, choosing the White Oak in 1908.

Unique Choice

Hawaii's state tree, the Candlenut (Kukui), is the only state tree that was traditionally used for lighting, with its oily nuts serving as candles.

Record Holder

California's state tree, the Coast Redwood, is the tallest tree species in the world, capable of growing over 380 feet tall.

Democratic Choice

Many states selected their state trees through school children's votes or public polls, making them truly representative symbols.

Native Species

Most states chose trees that are native to their region, reflecting their natural heritage and local ecosystems.