List of U.S. state and territory trees facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Many places in the United States, including states, the federal district, and territories, have chosen special trees to represent them. These official trees are symbols of the natural beauty and history of each area. They are often picked because they are common there, have a special meaning, or are important to the environment.

This list shows the official trees for each U.S. state, the federal district of Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. Each tree has a common name you might know and a scientific name, which is a unique name used by scientists all over the world.

Official State and Territory Trees
Images for kids
See also

Official State and Territory Trees

Alabama's Longleaf Pine

The tall Longleaf Pine, Alabama's state tree.

Alabama's official tree is the Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). It became official in 1949 and was clarified in 1997. This pine is known for its very long needles and strong wood.

Alaska's Sitka Spruce

A Sitka Spruce forest in Alaska.

Alaska chose the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) as its state tree in 1962. This giant tree is the largest spruce species and grows along the Pacific coast.

Arizona's Blue Palo Verde

The Blue Palo Verde tree, known for its green bark.

In 1954, Arizona picked the Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). This desert tree has a unique blue-green bark and bright yellow flowers.

Arkansas's Loblolly Pine

The Loblolly Pine, a common tree in the southern U.S.

The Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) became Arkansas's state tree in 1939. It's a fast-growing pine that's very common in the southeastern U.S.

California's Redwood Giants

A majestic Coast Redwood tree.

The Grizzly Giant, a famous Giant Sequoia.

California has two official state trees, both chosen in 1937. They are the Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). These are some of the tallest and most massive trees on Earth!

Colorado's Blue Spruce

The Colorado Blue Spruce, known for its beautiful blue needles.

The Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) was named Colorado's state tree in 1939. It's famous for its beautiful blue-green needles.

Connecticut's White Oak

A historic postcard showing the Charter Oak.

Connecticut's state tree is the White oak (Quercus alba), chosen in 1947. A famous White Oak, the Charter Oak, played a role in Connecticut's history.

Delaware's American Holly

American Holly with its bright red berries.

The American holly (Ilex opaca) became Delaware's state tree in 1939. It's known for its shiny green leaves and bright red berries, especially around winter.

District of Columbia's Scarlet Oak

The Scarlet Oak, famous for its red leaves in autumn.

Washington, D.C., chose the Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) in 1960. This tree is loved for its brilliant red leaves in the fall.

Florida's Sabal Palm

A Sabal Palm, a common sight in Florida.

Florida's official tree is the Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), adopted in 1953. This sturdy palm tree is a symbol of the state's warm climate.

Georgia's Southern Live Oak

A grand Southern Live Oak with Spanish moss.

In 1937, Georgia picked the Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana). These trees are famous for their wide, spreading branches and long lifespan.

Guam's Ifit Tree

The Ifit tree, also known as Pacific Teak.

Guam's official tree is the Ifit (Intsia bijuga), also called Pacific teak, chosen in 1969. It's a strong, beautiful tree found in tropical areas.

Hawaii's Candlenut Tree

The Candlenut tree, or Kukui, with its light-colored leaves.

Hawaii's state tree is the Candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccanus), known locally as kukui. It became official in 1959. Its nuts were traditionally used for light.

Idaho's Western White Pine

The Western White Pine, a tall conifer.

The Western white pine (Pinus monticola) was chosen as Idaho's state tree in 1935. It's a tall, slender pine found in the western mountains.

Illinois's White Oak

A White Oak tree.

Illinois also chose the White oak (Quercus alba) as its state tree in 1973, showing its importance across different states.

Indiana's Tulip Tree

A beautiful flower from the Tulip Tree.

Indiana's state tree is the Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), adopted in 1931. It gets its name from its unique, tulip-shaped flowers.

Iowa's Oak

An Oak tree, a symbol of strength.

Iowa's official tree is simply the Oak (Quercus spp.), chosen in 1961. This means any type of oak tree can represent the state.

Kansas's Eastern Cottonwood

The Eastern Cottonwood, a fast-growing tree.

The Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) became Kansas's state tree in 1937. It's a fast-growing tree often found near rivers.

Kentucky's Tulip-tree

The distinctive flower of the Tulip-tree.

Kentucky also chose the Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) as its state tree. It's a popular choice for its beauty.

Louisiana's Bald Cypress

Bald Cypress trees growing in water.

In 1963, Louisiana named the Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) its state tree. These trees are unique because they can grow in swamps and lose their needles in winter.

Maine's Eastern White Pine

The Eastern White Pine, a tall and straight tree.

Maine's state tree is the Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), adopted in 1945. It's a very tall and important tree in the state's history.

Maryland's White Oak

The historic Wye Oak, a famous White Oak.

Maryland also chose the White oak (Quercus alba) in 1941. The famous Wye Oak was a beloved symbol of the state for centuries.

Massachusetts's American Elm

The graceful American Elm tree.

The American elm (Ulmus americana) became Massachusetts's state tree in 1941. It's known for its graceful, vase-like shape.

Michigan's Eastern White Pine

The Eastern White Pine, important for lumber.

Michigan also chose the Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) as its state tree in 1955, highlighting its importance in the Great Lakes region.

Minnesota's Red Pine

A Red Pine, also called Norway Pine.

In 1953, Minnesota picked the Red pine (Pinus resinosa), also called Norway pine. It's known for its reddish bark and long needles.

Mississippi's Southern Magnolia

A beautiful Southern Magnolia flower.

Mississippi's state tree is the Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), adopted in 1952. It's famous for its large, fragrant white flowers.

Missouri's Flowering Dogwood

The lovely white flowers of the Flowering Dogwood.

The Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) became Missouri's state tree in 1955. It's loved for its beautiful white or pink flowers in spring.

Montana's Ponderosa Pine

A Ponderosa Pine with its distinctive bark.

Montana chose the Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in 1949. This large pine is common in the western U.S. and has a unique scent.

Nebraska's Eastern Cottonwood

The Eastern Cottonwood, a symbol of Nebraska.

Nebraska also selected the Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) as its state tree in 1972, showing its widespread presence.

Nevada's Desert Pines

A Single-leaf Pinyon tree.

A very old Great Basin Bristlecone Pine.

Nevada has two state trees. The Single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) was chosen in 1959, and the Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) was added in 1987. Bristlecone pines are some of the oldest living things on Earth!

New Hampshire's American White Birch

The distinctive white bark of the American White Birch.

New Hampshire's state tree is the American white birch (Betula papyrifera), adopted in 1947. It's known for its beautiful peeling white bark.

New Jersey's Northern Red Oak

The Northern Red Oak, known for its strong wood.

In 1950, New Jersey picked the Northern red oak (Quercus rubra). This oak is valued for its strong wood and beautiful fall colors.

New Mexico's Piñon Pine

A Piñon Pine, source of edible pine nuts.

New Mexico chose the Piñon pine (Pinus edulis) in 1949. This small pine produces edible pine nuts.

New York's Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple leaves turning color in autumn.

New York's state tree is the Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), adopted in 1956. It's famous for its sweet sap, which is used to make maple syrup, and its bright fall foliage.

North Carolina's Pine

A Pine tree, representing North Carolina.

North Carolina's official tree is simply the Pine (Pinus), chosen in 1963. This recognizes the importance of various pine species to the state.

North Dakota's American Elm

The American Elm, a tall and elegant tree.

North Dakota also chose the American elm (Ulmus americana) as its state tree in 1947.

Northern Mariana Islands' Flame Tree

The vibrant flowers of the Flame Tree.

The Northern Mariana Islands' official tree is the Flame tree (Delonix regia), adopted in 1979. It's known for its stunning bright red-orange flowers.

Ohio's Ohio Buckeye

Leaves and nuts of the Ohio Buckeye.

Ohio's state tree is the Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra), chosen in 1953. Its nuts resemble a deer's eye, giving it its name.

Oklahoma's Eastern Redbud

The pink flowers of the Eastern Redbud.

In 1971, Oklahoma picked the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). This tree is famous for its beautiful pink-purple flowers that bloom in early spring.

Oregon's Douglas Fir

A tall Douglas Fir tree.

Oregon's state tree is the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), adopted in 1939. It's one of the most important timber trees in North America.

Pennsylvania's Eastern Hemlock

Cones of the Eastern Hemlock.

Pennsylvania chose the Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in 1931. This evergreen tree is known for its delicate needles and graceful branches.

Puerto Rico's Ceiba

A large Ceiba tree.

Puerto Rico has an unofficial tree, the Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra). These are very large and impressive trees found in tropical regions.

Rhode Island's Red Maple

The Red Maple, known for its vibrant fall colors.

Rhode Island's state tree is the Red maple (Acer rubrum), adopted in 1964. It's named for its reddish twigs, buds, and beautiful red fall leaves.

South Carolina's Sabal Palm

The Sabal Palm, a symbol of South Carolina.

South Carolina also chose the Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) as its state tree in 1939, sharing this symbol with Florida.

South Dakota's Black Hills Spruce

The Black Hills Spruce.

In 1947, South Dakota picked the Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca var. densata). This special type of spruce is native to the Black Hills region.

Tennessee's Tulip-tree

The unique flower of the Tulip-tree.

Tennessee also chose the Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) as its state tree in 1947.

Texas's Pecan

A Pecan orchard, where pecan nuts grow.

Texas's state tree is the Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), adopted in 1919. It's famous for producing delicious pecan nuts.

Utah's Quaking Aspen

Quaking Aspens with their distinctive white bark.

In 2014, Utah chose the Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). These trees are known for their leaves that "quake" or tremble in the slightest breeze.

Vermont's Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple leaves, a source of maple syrup.

Vermont also chose the Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) as its state tree in 1949, recognizing its importance for maple syrup production.

Virginia's Flowering Dogwood

The beautiful blooms of the Flowering Dogwood.

Virginia's state tree is the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), adopted in 1956.

Washington's Western Hemlock

The Western Hemlock tree.

In 1947, Washington chose the Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). It's a large evergreen tree important to the state's forests.

West Virginia's Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple leaves in autumn.

West Virginia also chose the Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) as its state tree in 1949.

Wisconsin's Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple leaves, a popular state tree.

Wisconsin also chose the Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) as its state tree in 1949.

Wyoming's Plains Cottonwood

The Plains Cottonwood, a hardy tree.

Wyoming's state tree is the Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides monilifera), chosen in 1947 and amended in 1961. It's a tough tree that thrives in the plains.