If you’re looking to increase your knowledge about trees, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you just want to learn more or make the best choice for your garden, we cover a variety of trees in extensive detail. However, all trees fall under two main categories, which are:
Table of Contents
Deciduous
Deciduous trees, also called hardwoods, are those trees that shed their leaves in fall and stay bare throughout winter. When spring arrives, these trees start to grow leaves once again.
Evergreen
Evergreen trees do not shed their leaves during seasonal changes. They stay green all year long, and if they do shed their leaves, it is usually due to environmental changes.
Types of Deciduous Trees
1. The Neem Tree (Azadirachta Indica)
The Neem tree, also called the nimtree and Indian Lilac, is an evergreen and deciduous tree. While it is an evergreen tree, it does shed its leaves due to environmental changes such as severe droughts. The neem tree is commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, such as Iran, India, Bengal, Vietnam, and Laos. It is a fast-growing tree and can grow up to 40 meters in its lifetime. The branches grow high and spread quite wide, with pinnate, dark green leaflets at their ends. The Neem tree is widely known as a shade-giving tree.
2. The Quaking Aspen Tree (Populus Tremula)
The Quaking Aspen tree is a deciduous tree found in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. This tree grows in mountain ranges from Iceland to the British Isles, Spain, North Korea, Japan, Russia, Scandinavia, and Turkey. It is highly tolerant to cold temperatures and can grow up to 40 meters tall. When young, the Quaking Aspen has a smooth greyish-green bark, which grows rough and porous with age. The leaves of the tree are round and small in size with toothed edges. The Quaking Aspen tree is related to the Bigtooth Aspen tree.
3. The White Ash Tree (Fraxinus Americana)
White Ash and Black Ash trees are very similar but differ in where they grow and the color of their leaves. White Ash trees grow in mesophytic hardwood forests or close to Sugar Maple trees. These trees grow all over North America, from the province of Nova Scotia in Canada to Wyoming, Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado. The White Ash tree is named so due to its leaves’ grey/blue metallic underside. It is a highly cultivated variety in North America, and its wood is used for flooring, furniture, and sports equipment.
4. The Peach Tree (Prunus Persica)
The Peach tree is native to northwestern China but is now cultivated all over the world. These trees are popularly cultivated in Persia, hence the name persica. Peach trees belong to the rosaceae family alongside the plum tree, the almond tree, the apricot tree, and the cherry tree. The Peach tree grows up to 7 meters tall and has lanceolate green leaves. It is famous for its beautiful pink flowers as well as its delicious fruit. The Peach tree commonly grows in temperate or dry, continental locations. Similar to pears, peaches turn ripe and sweet in colder temperatures.
5. The Common Fig Tree (Ficus Carica)
The Common Fig tree is a small flowering tree native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. They belong to the Mulberry family and have been cultivated since ancient times. Although these trees prefer deep, moist soil, they also grow in dry, rocky locations. The Common Fig tree grows up to 7 to 10 meters tall. It is known for its fragrant waxy leaves, eye-catching flowers, and delicious fruit. Historically, this tree grew in dry and sunny locations but is now cultivated all over the world for its incredibly delicious fruit.
6. The Apple Tree (Malus Domestica)
The Apple tree is a deciduous tree that grows in rich, moist, and well-drained soils. They are quite short and only grow up to 2 to 5 meters long. Apple trees have lovely pink or white flowers and dark green leaves that grow alternatively on their branches. Apple trees are found all over the world and can grow in almost any climate. However, colder temperatures yield the crispiest and sweetest apples. Since Apple trees grow all over the world, there are many varieties of apples that differ in taste and texture. Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world.
7. The Pear Tree (Pyrus Communis)
Pear trees are medium to large deciduous trees that can grow up to 10 to 17 meters tall. They are native to the temperature regions of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. The tree features glossy green leaves alternately arranged on the stem. Pear trees also bear white blossoms and delicious fruit, which is the reason for their popularity. There are around three thousand varieties of pear trees all over the world. The wood of the Pear tree is also used to make furniture and woodwind instruments.
8. The Honey Locust Tree (Gleditsia Triacanthos)
The Honey Locust tree is a deciduous variety native to North America. It is considered an aggressively invasive species due to its highly adaptable and hardy nature. Honey Locust trees mature in a short amount of time and live for about 120 years. Their bark is gray and rough and the trees grow thorny spikes. The Honey Locust tree also bears highly fragrant flowers and delicious fruits. Their wood serves as a great choice for flooring since it is highly durable and flexible. In some cultures, the leaves and twigs of the Honey Locust tree are used for medicinal purposes.
9. The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera)
The Tulip tree is a large deciduous that can grow up to 60 meters in its lifetime. Tulip trees are part of the Magnolia family and grow in North America, China, and Vietnam. The optimal soil conditions for these trees are slightly acidic and high in moisture, while they prefer temperate climates. Tulip trees are easily recognizable due to their large size and attractive flowers that resemble tulips. When in bloom, the Tulip tree bears eye-catching yellow, green, and orange flowers. Their leaves are also large and have a distinct shape with four lobes.
10. The Yellow Birch Tree (Betula Alleghaniensis)
The Yellow Birch tree, also called the Swamp birch and the golden birch, is a deciduous tree native to northeastern North America. They grow from Newfoundland to Prince Edward Island, and Minnesota to the Appalachian Mountains. This tree prefers moist soil and high altitudes, where they grow in close proximity to Sugar Maple and Beech trees.
The wood of the Yellow Birch tree is strong, hard, and coarse-grained. It is commonly used as fuelwood or for lumber, flooring, furniture, interior design, and airplanes.
11. The Butternut Tree (Juglans Cinerea)
The Butternut tree, also called the White walnut tree, is a slow-growing variety native to southeast Canada and the eastern United States. They thrive in cooler temperatures, so they grow in high alpine areas. The optimal soil conditions for this tree are slightly dry, well-drained soil with moderate acidity levels.
The Butternut tree has a light gray bark which is smooth but grows rough with age. The color of the bark also changes, hence why the bark is sometimes used as a natural dye. The simple leaves are long with pointed tips and yellow-green in color. The tree produces edible fruits called white walnuts, which are delicious and can be prepared in various ways.
12. The Black Cherry Tree (Prunus Serotina)
The Black Cherry tree, also called Wild black cherry, Rum cherry, and Mountain black cherry, is a fast-growing shrub found in North and South America. The tree grows in moist hillsides, but can also be grown in drier soil. The wood of the Black Cherry tree is a pale reddish-brown, light yet extremely durable. The wood of this tree is used for various purposes such as fence-making, cabinetry, and furniture. In addition to deep green glossy leaves, the tree also bears small red and black cherries.
13. The American Chestnut Tree (Castanea Dentata)
The American Chestnut tree is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is part of the beech family and is considered the finest chestnut tree in the world. There are other popular Chesnut trees as well, commonly found throughout Europe, China, and Japan. The wood of the American Chestnut tree is popular due to its fast growth. The light, coarse-grained wood is commonly used for making posts and fences.
Many Chestnut trees have been long-dead due to Chesnut blight, but the American Chestnut Foundation is working on developing a blight-resistant tree.
14. The Cucumber Tree (Magnolia Acuminata)
The Cucumber tree, also called the Cucumber Magnolia and Blue Magnolia, is one of the largest Magnolia trees in the world. It is commonly found in eastern United States and southern Ontario. The tree gets its name from its oddly shaped fruit that looks similar to an oblong cucumber. Cucumber trees usually serve as ornamental trees in gardens. They grow beautiful flowers, while their twigs are also fragrant. These trees look beautiful in large gardens since they grow flowers and fruit at the very top.
15. The Purple Magnolia Tree (Magnolia Lilliflora)
The flowers of the Purple Magnolia tree are known by various names, including Mulan magnolias, lily magnolia, red magnolia, tulip magnolia, Jane magnolias, and woody orchid. This particular species of Magnolia trees is native to southeastern China, namely Sichuan and Yunnan. Purple Magnolia trees are small in size, growing up to 4 meters. While they look similar to other Magnolia trees, they are mainly preferred for their beautiful flowers which are either red, purple, or deep pink.
These trees have served as ornamental trees for centuries in Chinese and Japanese gardens. Their fragrance, beauty, and ease of care make them a wonderful addition to any garden.
16. The European Larch Tree (Larix Decidua)
The European Larch tree is a mountainous conifer that is medium to large in size. It is native to the mountains of Central Europe, the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Pyrenees. It also grows in lowlands in northern Poland and southern Lithuania. This deciduous conifer can live up to a thousand years!
While this tree is commonly found in mountainous regions, it is used as an ornamental tree in gardens as well. The wood of the European Larch tree is strong, durable, and flexible. It is popular for making yachts, fences, and posts.
17. The Silver Maple Tree (Acer Saccharinum)
The Silver Maple tree has many names, including Creek maple, Silverleaf maple, soft maple, large maple, white maple, water maple, and swamp maple. It is a medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern and central United States, and southeastern Canada. The Silver Maple tree is one of the commonest maple trees in the United States.
While this is a fast-growing tree, it has soft and weak wood. It is usually planted for shade purposes rather than its wood. It has a grayish red bark with leaves similar to Red Maple trees. The tree gets its name due to its greenish silvery leaves.
18. The American Hophornbeam Tree (Ostrya Virginiana)
The American Hophornbeam tree is a small deciduous tree native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Manitoba and eastern Wyoming, southeast to northern Florida, and southwest to eastern Texas. It commonly grows in stony, dry soil. It is a slow-growing variety that grows quite slender, not more than 10 inches in diameter. The leaves of the tree are dark-yellowish green, and it also bears green and reddish-brown flowers.
The American Hophornbeam tree is also called ironwood for its strong, durable wood. This tree is usually grown for its wood rather than its showiness. Lumbermen use the wood for tools, heavy machinery, and fuelwood.
19. The Bigtooth Aspen Tree (Populus Grandidentata)
The Bigtooth Aspen tree, also called the Large-tooth aspen, American aspen, Canadian poplar, and white poplar, is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is highly adaptable to a variety of soil types but generally prefers loamy soil. Bigtooth Aspen trees also grow in rocky, Alpine sites in well-aerated soil but need lots of sunlight to thrive, The tree starts producing seeds at around 10 years, producing a million seeds each year. The Bigtooth Aspen tree gets its name due to the strange shape of its leaves.
The wood of the Bigtooth Aspen tree is fine in texture and straight-grained. Common uses for its wood include pallets, chopsticks, log homes, and ladders.
20. The American Hornbeam Tree (Carpinus Caroliniana)
The American Hornbeam tree, also called blue-beech, musclewood, ironwood, and muscle beech, is a deciduous hardwood tree native to eastern North America, southern Ontario, south to Eastern Texas, and northern Florida. The tree is commonly planted along watercourses or at the edge of swamps. The American Hornbeam tree is popular for its strong, durable wood, also called ironwood, It commonly serves as wood for tools and other heavy machinery.
The American Hornbeam tree makes a great addition to gardens due to its attractive bark. Its bark is thin, smooth, and a striking dark grayish-blue in color.
21. The Black Birch Tree (Betula Lenta)
Black Birch trees are medium-sized deciduous trees found in eastern North America and southernmost Ontario. They also grow south in the Appalachian mountains. When young, the trees have a smooth bark with vertical lenticels characteristic of most birch trees. As the tree matures, the bark develops irregular vertical cracks revealing dark brown bark patterns. Black Birch trees prefer highly acidic and moderately moist soil. While they prefer a moderate climate, they can also survive cold winters.
The wood of the tree commonly serves as a substitute for Mahogany or Cherry wood. The oil extracted from the twigs has medicinal and culinary properties. Black Birch trees grow up to 35 meters in height, but the oldest one is 368 meters!
22. The Eastern White Pine Tree (Pinus Strobus)
The Eastern White Pine tree, also called white pine, northern white pine, soft pine, and Weymouth pine, is a medium-sized deciduous conifer tree native to eastern North America. The wood of the Eastern White Pine tree is very valuable due to its versatility. It is soft and even textured, making it a great choice for doors, boxes, and interior trims.
The Eastern White Pine tree prefers well-drained or sandy soils and humid climates. However, it can also grow in swampy areas and rocky highlands. Eastern White Pine forests were very common in north-central and northeastern North America, but the species was over-logged.
23. The Chestnut Oak Tree (Quercus Montana)
The Chestnut Oak tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern United States. This oak tree grows on rocky ridges, hillsides, and dry land. Another name for the Chestnut Oak tree is Rock Oak since it is so common in mountainous and other rocky regions. Its wood is valuable, but not more than the White Oak tree. The wood of the Chestnut Oak tree commonly serves as material for rough construction and posts. The distinctive characteristic of this tree is its dark gray-brown bark with many ridges.
24. The Scarlet Oak Tree (Quercus Coccinea)
The Scarlet Oak tree is native to central and eastern United States and medium to large in size. It prefers dry, sandy, and acidic soils and is often part of an oak-heath forest. The Scarlet Oak Tree gets its name due to its vibrant Autumn foliage. Since the tree does not shed its leaves in winter, the scarlet leaves create a stark contrast against snowy forests. For this reason, the Scarlet Oak tree also serves as an ornamental tree in a variety of gardens.
The wood of the tree is quite strong and coarse, usually used for flooring with staining and finishing.
25. The Sassafras Tree (Sassafras Albidum)
The Sassafras tree is a small to medium sized deciduous tree that commonly grows in eastern North America and Asia. The bark and leaves of the Sassafras tree have medicinal properties and are used to make tea, a tradition that is thousands of years old. The tree prefers rich, well-drained loamy soil, but can also grow in any loose, moist soil. While Sassafras seedlings can grow in the shade, saplings and trees require direct sunlight for growth. All parts of the Sassafras tree including the roots, leaves, bark, stems, flowers, and wood have numerous uses.
26. The Black Willow Tree (Salix Nigra)
The Black Willow tree is a medium-sized deciduous variety of Willow trees native to eastern North America. It is the largest North American willow tree and grows up to 30 to 45 meters in length. The Black Willow tree prefers highly moist soil and commonly grows alongside lakes and streams. While moist soil encourages the tree’s full growth, it can also grow on sandy, gravely soil when given enough sunlight. The roots, bark, and leaves of the Black Willow tree have medicinal properties. Although, its wood is not as popular since it is soft and weak.
Fun fact: The wood of the Black Willow tree was the first to be used for artificial limbs.
27. The Serviceberry Tree (Amelanchier Canadensis)
The Serviceberry tree has many names including bilberry, chuckle-berry, currant tree, Canadian serviceberry, juneberry, sugarplum, shadbush, and thicket serviceberry. It is a small deciduous tree or shrub native to eastern North America and certain parts of the United States. The Serviceberry tree generally prefers wet soil, growing alongside river banks, and streams. Although it can also grow on hills and highlands.
In spring, the Serviceberry tree bears striking small, white flowers. It also bears small fruits that resemble berries, which are edible and sweet when ripe.
28. The Black Walnut Tree (Juglans Nigra)
The Black Walnut tree, also called eastern American black walnut, is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree native to North America. It prefers moist soil and commonly grows alongside rivers or streams. Although the tree can also grow in much drier soils but slowly. Black Walnut trees are commercially important due to their prized wood and fruit. Their straight-grained wood is highly strong yet flexible, while the fruit has a distinctive, desirable taste. The parts of the Black Walnut tree also have numerous other uses including dyeing, cosmetics, water filtration, and abrasive cleaning.
29. The Sour Cherry Tree (Prunus Cerasus)
The Sour Cherry tree, also called tart cherry and dwarf cherry, is a type of cherry tree native to Europe and southwestern Asia. While the Sour Cherry tree is closely related to the Sweet Cherry tree, its fruit is much more acidic. The tree is small and grows up to 10 meters in height with twiggy branches. Its fruit is crimson to black cherries that grow in clusters. There are two main types of sour cherries: the crimson Morello cherry, and the light red Amarelle cherry.
Sour Cherry trees prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil. Since they are too small to yield enough wood for commercial purposes, they are mainly grown for their delicious fruit. Sour cherries are consumed both fresh and dried in various dishes.
30. The Eastern Cottonwood Tree (Populus Deltoides)
The Eastern Cottonwood tree, also called necklace poplar, is a cottonwood tree native to North America. It commonly grows throughout eastern, central, and southwestern United States, the southern Canadian prairies, eastern Canada, and northeastern Mexico. It is a large-sized tree that can grow up to 60 meters in length and is one of the largest North American hardwood trees. The Eastern Cottonwood tree prefers bare soil and full sunlight, and usually grows near rivers.
31. The Paper Birch Tree (Betula Papyrifera)
The Paper Birch tree, also known as the American white birch and canoe birch, is a medium-sized short-lived tree native to northern North America. The tree gets its name due to its thin white bark that peels off in paper-like layers. It can grow in many types of soil, such as steep, rocky areas as well as boggy areas. However, it grows best in rich, well-drained to dry soil.
The wood of the Paper Birch tree is light, strong, and moderately heavy. It commonly serves as firewood, pulpwood, and plyfood. Other uses for the wood include furniture, flooring, popsicle sticks, and woodware. Although rare, some also boil down the sap to produce birch syrup.
32. The Pitch Pine Tree (Pinus Rigida)
The Pitch Pine tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous pine native to eastern North America. The tree commonly grows in environments difficult for other species to thrive in, such as acidic, sandy, and low-nutrient soils. The Pitch Pine tree is highly fire-resistant and has a high regenerative ability. If the main trunk suffers any damage through fire, it resprouts. It also features a thick bark to protect the sensitive inner layers from heat. Since burnt Pitch Pine trees can form irregular trees with multiple trunks, they are popular for bonsai.
33. The Gray Birch Tree (Betula Populifolia)
The Gray Birch tree is a deciduous variety native to eastern North America. In Canada, it grows in Nova Scotia and Ontario, while it grows in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana in the United States. The Gray Birch tree prefers poor and dry upland soil, but also grows in semi-moist woodlands. Although the Gray Birch tree is often confused with the Paper Birch tree, its bark does not peel off as easily.
The wood of the Gray Birch tree is medium-hard and serves high-grade plywood and firewood, furniture, spools, and drum shells.
34. The Mountain Magnolia Tree (Magnolia Fraseri)
The Mountain Magnolia tree, also called Fraser magnolia, mountain-oread, and earleaf cucumber, is a type of magnolia tree native to southeastern United States. There are two kinds of Mountain Magnolia trees: Magnolia fraseri var. fraseri which is native to the Appalachian mountains, and the Pyramid magnolia which is native to Pampanini. When gived the right conditions, this tree can grow considerably north of its natural range.
The tree prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil. They commonly serve as ornamental tree due to their large white flowers and leaves, which lend them a striking appearance. Other than their visual appeal, they are not as valuable commercially.
35. The American Elm Tree (Ulmus Americana)
The American Elm tree, also known as the white elm and water elm, is a medium-sized deciduous variety native to eastern North America. It naturally occurs from the west of Nova Scotia to Alberta and Montana, as well as south to central Texas and Florida. The American Elm tree naturally occurs in various types of habitats, namely stream banks, swampy areas, rich bottomland, and floodplains. It also grows on hillsides and well-drained soil, as well as alongside rivers in the Appalachian mountains.
Unfortunately, this tree became victim to Dutch Elm Disease (DED), which is why it isn’t as widespread anymore. Steps are being taken to ensure its survival.
36. The Alpine Larch Tree (Larix Lyallii)
The Alpine or Subalpine Larch tree is a deciduous conifer native to northwestern North America. It grows at high altitudes in Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Alberta, Montana, and British Columbia. This tree is quite hardy and can survive at low temperatures with thin, rocky soil. It grows in a variety of moist, well-drained soils with or without shade. Alpine Larch trees grow about 25 meters tall with a straight trunk, horizontal branches, and long blue-green needle-like leaves.
Fun fact: Alpine Larch trees are the oldest tree species found in Canada, with the oldest Alpine Larch tree being 2000 years old.
37. The Flowering Dogwood Tree (Cornus Florida)
The Flowering Dogwood tree is a flowering deciduous tree of the Cornaceae family that is native to eastern North America and northern Mexico. The tree commonly serves as an ornamental in public parks and residential gardens due to its attractive appearance and branch structure. The Flowering Dogwood grows well in moist, acidic soil with a good balance of shade sun exposure. It is a common ornamental tree in many temperate parts of the world. Due to its popularity, there are may cultivars of the tree that vary in flower color.
38. The Pignut Hickory Tree (Carya Glabra)
The Pignut Hickory tree is a common but rare species of hickory in the oak-hickory forests found in the Eastern United States and Canada. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows well in humid climates, as well as on hillsides and dry ridges. It has many names including sweet pignut, pignut, coast pignut hickory, broom hickory, smoothbark hickory, and swamp hickory. The Pignut Hickory tree bears small pear-shaped fruit that has a maple-like scent.
The Pignut Hickory tree serves as food to various kinds of wildlife including squirrels, turkeys, and hogs. It is also an important shade-giving tree in various suburban areas.
39. The Shagbark Hickory Tree (Carya Ovata)
The Shagbark Hickory tree is a common variety of hickory trees native to the Eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a large deciduous tree that can grow over 30 meters tall and live longer than three centuries. While young Shagbark Hickory trees have a smooth bark, mature ones have a distinctive shaggy bark which is the reason for their name. The Shagbark Hickory tree also bears sweet, edible nuts that are incredibly delicious.
The wood of this tree is durable, coarse-grained, and tough, but not very popular since it is a slow-growing tree. The wood is commonly used for smoking meat, or in the construction of axe handles, ploughs, skis, and drum sticks.
40. The Black Ash Tree (Fraxinus Nigra)
The Black Ash tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern Canada and northeastern United States. It grows up to 20 meters in height and commonly grows in swamps with rich, moist soil. The bark is dark grey with a corky texture and becomes scaly as the tree ages. The wood of the Black Ash tree is commonly used to make baskets and musical instruments such as electric and bass guitars.
Unfortunately, the Black Ash tree is near total extinction due to infestation by a highly invasive species called the emerald ash borer.
Types of Evergreen Trees
1. The River Red Gum Tree (Eucalyptus Camaldulensis)
The River Red Gum tree is an evergreen tree that is part of the Eucalyptus family. These trees are native and endemic to Australia, meaning they only grow there and nowhere else in the world. It is one of Australia’s iconic trees, commonly growing across watercourses in inland Australia, and provides shade in central Australia.
River Red Gum trees are highly tolerant to drought and soil salinity but grow best in moist soils. They have a smooth white or ivory bark that peels off in large strips, giving the tree a distinctive appearance. Additionally, they also bear striking white flowers and woody, hemispherical fruit.
2. The Balsam Fir Tree (Abies Balsamea)
The Balsam Fir tree is an evergreen coniferous tree native to eastern and central Canada, and the northeastern United States. It is a medium-sized forest tree that commonly grows in cold climates around swamps, mountain ranges, and flatlands.
The tree has a smooth, grey when young and dense, dark green leaves, while older trees have a fissured, scaly bark. While the wood of the tree is not used commercially, the tree is popular as a Christmas tree. Its fragrant needles stay on much longer compared to other pine trees.
3. The Eastern Hemlock Tree (Tsuga Canadensis)
The Eastern Hemlock tree, also called Eastern Hemlock-spruce or Canadian Hemlock, is an evergreen conifer native to eastern North America. Eastern Hemlock trees grow widely throughout the Great Lakes region, the northeastern United States, the Appalachian Mountains, and maritime Canada. They are long-lived trees that can grow up to 30 meters and live for five centuries. They grow well in the shade on slopes with moist soil.
Unfortunately, the Eastern Hemlock trees in North America are under threat due to the spread of the Hemlock woolly adelgid. This invasive insect species infests and eventually kills trees.
4. The Australian Mountain Ash Tree (Eucalyptus Regnans)
The Australian Mountain Ash tree, also referred to as the Swamp gum, Tasmanian oak, and Stringy gum tree, is an evergreen medium-sized tree native to Tasmania and Victoria, Australia. It commonly grows in temperate areas with high rainfall and deep, loamy soil. The Australian Mountain Ash tree has a straight trunk with a smooth, grey bark and glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Forests abundant with this tree store more carbon than any other forest known.
Fun fact: The Australian Mountain Ash tree is the tallest of all flowering trees and the oldest specimen, named Centurion, stands at an impressive height of 100.5 meters
5. The Douglas Fir Tree (Pseudotsuga Menziesii)
The Douglas Fir tree, also called the Douglas spruce, the Oregon pine, Pudget Sound pine, false hemlock, and the Columbian pine, is an evergreen conifer native to western North America. There are three varieties of the Douglas Fir tree: the coastal Douglas fir, the Rocky Mountains Douglas fir, and the Mexican Douglas fir. These trees are medium to large-sized and can grow up to 100 meters. Douglas Fir trees are popular as Christmas trees, but their wood is also used for framing, construction, and flooring.
6. The Bristlecone Hemlock Tree (Nothotsuga Longibracteata)
The Bristlecone Hemlock tree is an evergreen tree native and endemic to China. It only grows in southeastern China, northern Guangdong, southern Fujian, northeast Guizhou, southwest Hunan, and northeast Guangxi in China. The tree has broad, flat, and needle-like leaves with small, long cones.
They are a highly endangered species and rarely found in China. Until recently, the trees were thought to have become completely extinct, but the few surviving Bristlecone Hemlock trees are now under protection. The surviving trees are present at low to medium mountain elevations.
7. The Fraser Fir Tree (Abies Fraseri)
The Fraser Fir tree is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States. They are drought and cold-resistant trees that can grow in a variety of soil types. It is often regarded as subspecies of the Balsam Fir tree, which it is closely related to. It is small in size with a thin trunk and straight branches. Their bark is smooth and grayish brown, while the needle-like leaves are dark green and highly fragrant.
8. The Flowering Gum Tree (Corymbia Ficifolia)
The Flowering Gum tree is a small evergreen flowering tree endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is rare in the wild but is common as an ornamental tree in home gardens and parks. They prefer temperate climates with low humidity and rainfall. It grows in harsh conditions, where it is difficult for other flowering trees to thrive.
These trees are small and only grow up to 10 meters. They have a rough and dark brown bark with egg-shaped or broad lance-shaped leaves. The Flowering Gum tree is easily recognizable due to its showy bright red, pink, or orange flowers.
9. The Pitch Pine Tree (Pinus Rigida)
The Pitch Pine tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous pine native to eastern North America. The tree commonly grows in environments difficult for other species to thrive in, such as acidic, sandy, and low-nutrient soils.
The Pitch Pine tree is highly fire-resistant and has a high regenerative ability. If the main trunk suffers any damage through fire, it resprouts. It also features a thick bark to protect the sensitive inner layers from heat. Since burnt Pitch Pine trees can form irregular trees with multiple trunks, they are popular for bonsai.
10. The Red Pine Tree (Pinus Resinosa)
The Red Pine tree, also called the Norway Pine tree, is an evergreen conifer native to North America. It is the state tree of Minnesota where it grows abundantly. It ranges in size from 25 to 30 meters, but can also grow up to 44 meters. Its bark is thick and grayish brown at the base but thin, flaky, and orange-red towards the top of the tree, which is also the reason for its name.
This tree grows well in well-drained soil and is tolerant of shade. It is a long-lived variety that can live up to five centuries. The wood of the Red Pine tree is also useful, commercially used for timber and paper pulp.
11. The Bristlecone Pine Tree (Pinus Longaeva)
The Bristlecone Pine tree, also called the Great Basic Bristlecone pine, Western Bristlecone pine, and Intermountain Bristlecone pine, is a long-lived evergreen conifer found in higher mountain regions of Utah, Nevada, and California. It is a medium-sized tree with thin, bright orange-yellow bark and long, deep green to blue-green needle-like leaves. The Bristlecone Pine tree ignites very quickly and is damaged by low-intensity burns.
Fun fact: The oldest Bristlecone Pine tree in the world, called Methuselah, is 4853 years old. Its location is kept secret to ensure its safety.
12. The Coast Redwood Tree (Sequoia Sempervirens)
The Coast Redwood tree, also called the California Redwood tree, is an evergreen tree famous for its size and life expectancy. This cypress tree is the tallest living tree on Earth, with individual trees reaching a height of 115.5 meters. They are also one of the oldest living things on the planet, living for anywhere from 1,200–2,200 years.
These trees commonly grow along coastal California and the southwestern corner of coastal Oregon. The wood of the Coast Redwood tree is one of the most valuable in the timber industry.
13. The Scotch Pine Tree (Pinus Sylvestris)
The Scotch Pine tree, also called the European Red pine or Baltic pine tree, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to Eurasia. It has a wide range and grows from Western Europe to Eastern Siberia, south to the Caucasus mountains and Anatolia, and north to inside the Arctic Circle in the Fennoscandian Peninsula.
It is easily recognizable due to its short blue-green leaves and orange-red bark. The species usually grows on low-nutrient sandy soils, peat bogs, rocky outcrops, or at the forest limits.
14. The Ponderosa Pine Tree (Pinus Ponderosa)
The Ponderosa Pine tree has many names including Bull pine, Western Yellow pine, Blackjack pine, and Filipinus pine. It is a very large and widespread pine tree species native to mountainous regions in western North America. The Ponderosa Pine tree is an evergreen coniferous tree.
While this tree looks very similar to the Red Pine tree, its bark helps differentiate it. Younger trees have a black-brown bark, while older trees have a yellow and orange-red bark.
15. The Red Spruce Tree (Picea Rubens)
The Red Spruce tree, also called the yellow spruce, Eastern spruce, He-balsam, and West Virginia spruce, is a spruce tree native to eastern North America. It is a highly shade-tolerant tree that can grow quite well, even in poorer low-nutrient soils.
The Red Spruce tree usually occurs in mixed forests alongside Balsam fir, Eastern White pine, or Black fir trees. It also occurs in the Appalachian spruce-fir forest present in the highest regions of the Southern Appalachian mountains.
16. The Giant Redwood Tree (Sequoiadendron Giganteum)
The Giant Redwood tree, also called the Sierra Redwood, the giant sequoia, and Wellingtonia, is an evergreen coniferous tree that occurs naturally only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Giant Redwood trees are the most massive trees on Earth, growing up to 85 to 94.8 meters. They are third among long-lived tree species with the oldest Giant Redwood being 3,200 years old.
The Giant Redwood tree has a fibrous, furrowed bark and awl-shaped, spirally arranged leaves. Its sap contains tannic acid which provides protection against fire damage.
17. The Eastern Juniper Tree (Juniperus Virginiana)
The Eastern Juniper tree, also known as Red Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Red Juniper, and Virginian Juniper tree, is an evergreen juniper species native to eastern North America. It is a slow-growing coniferous tree that requires rich nutrient-laden soil to grow to its full potential. With poor soil, the Eastern Juniper tree only grows the size of a shrub.
18. The Water Gum Tree (Tristaniopsis Laurina)
The Water Gum tree, also called the Kanooka tree, is a tree species closely related to eucalyptus. It grows on moist, well-drained soil along the east coast of Australia, from the Brisbane River through coastal New South Wales to the Gippsland region in Victoria. The tree commonly grows along creek banks and at rainforest limits in shade or full sunlight.
It grows anywhere from 5 to 15 meters in height and is suitable for a large garden. It is a popular street tree in Sydney where it provides shade against the harsh sun.
19. The Southern Live Oak Tree (Quercus Virginiana)
The Southern Live Oak tree, also called Virginia Liveoak, Scrub Live oak, Bay Live oak, and Plateau oak, is an evergreen oak tree that only grows in the Southeastern United States. Many other Oak trees are sometimes referred to as a “live oak”, but the Southern Live Oak is the most well-known in the Old South. There are many massive and old specimens of this tree in the Deep South region of the United States.
20. The Bat Fig Tree (Ficus Amplissima)
The Bat Fig tree, also called the Indian Bat tree, Pimpri, Indian Bat Fig tree, Pipali, Pipri, and Bilibasari mara, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Mulberry family. The tree is native to Central and southern India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
It is a common shade-giving tree in coffee plantations due to its dense foliage and wide branches. The tree bears fruit which attracts many birds during springtime. The tree can grow up to a height of 25 meters while its crown spreads over 10 meters.
21. The Kumquat Tree (Citrus Japonica)
The Kumquat Tree is a small, tropical, fruit-bearing tree prized for its attractive appearance and delicious fruit. It is easy to grow and care for, making it a popular choice for home gardens. Although all citrus trees are beautiful, the Kumquat tree’s glossy dark green leaves contrasted with its bright orange fruit give it a striking appearance. The Kumquat tree is native to China, but has also been historically cultivated in other parts of eastern Asia such as Japan, Taiwan, India, and the Phillippines.
22. The Atlas Cedar Tree (Cedrus Atlantica)
The Atlas Cedar is a large evergreen coniferous tree native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, to the Rif, and to the Tell Atlas in Algeria. Many sources consider it a distinct species, while others regard it as a subspecies of the Lebanon Cedar tree. Atlas Cedar trees form forests either alone or with other trees including the Algerian Fir, the Cade Juniper, the Holm Oak, and the Italian Maple tree.
23. The Blueberry Ash Tree (Elaeocarpus Reticulatus)
The Blueberry Ash tree, also called the Blue olive berry, Ash quandong, Fringe tree, Koda, Fairy petticoats, Scrub ash, and Lily of the Valley tree, is a small evergreen tree that only grows in eastern Australia. It is a flowering shrub that bears white and pink flowers, and blue, oval fruit.
Blueberry Ash trees often grow in eucalypt forests, inside or at the limits of rainforests, or on stony ridges. Its beautiful, attractive flowers and compact size make it a great choice for any home garden.
24. The Coconut Palm Tree (Cocos Nucifera)
The Coconut Palm tree is a large palm tree known for its impressive size and delicious fruit. There are dwarf varieties of the tree as well, cultivated for slower growth, sweeter coconut water, and brightly colored fruits. Modern varieties of the Coconut Palm tree include Maypan coconut, King coconut, and Macapuno which differ in the taste of the coconut and its water. The Coconut Palm tree is native to the Central Indo-Pacific, between western Southeast Asia and Melanesia.
25. The Peppermint Tree (Agonis Flexuosa)
The Peppermint Tree, also called Swan River peppermint, Western Australian Peppermint, and Willow Myrtle, is a small evergreen tree native to the southwest of Western Australia. It is the most common and easily recognizable trees in Western Australia, where it grows in parks and road verges in Perth.
The Peppermint tree has a fibrous bark, long and narrow dull-green leaves, and small white flowers. The tree looks very similar to the Weeping Willow from a distance but is easily identifiable by the powerful peppermint odor from the leaves.
26. The White Spruce Tree (Picea Glauca)
The White Spruce tree has many names, including the Canadian spruce, Western White spruce, Skunk spruce, Cat spruce, Alberta White spruce, Sporsild spruce, and Black Hill spruce tree. It is native to the northern temperate and boreal forests in North America. The White Spruce tree is a large evergreen coniferous tree that grows up to 30 to 50 meters. It has a thin, scaly bark, needle-like glaucous blue-green leaves, and pendulous cones.
27. The Olive Tree (Olea Europaea)
The Olive tree is a small tree or evergreen shrub native to Mediterranean Europe, Asia, and Africa. The tree grows in all the countries of the Mediterranean, but is also cultivated in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and North and South America.
The olive tree’s fruit, the olive, has agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region but is also an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to its well-known fruit, the Olive tree also bears small, white, feathery flowers.
28. The Wollemi Pine Tree (Wollemia Nobilis)
The Wollemi Pine tree is an evergreen coniferous tree native to Australia. The species was thought to be extinct until discovered in a temperate rainforest wilderness area of the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales. Named after the same park, it was growing on sandstone gorges north-west of Sydney.
The Wollemi Pine tee is under threat from Phytophthora cinnamomi and on the IUCN’s Red List. It is currently under legal protection in Australia but has been successfully cloned.
29. The Kauri Tree (Agathis Australis)
The Kauri tree, also called Southern Kauri and New Zealand Kauri, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the northern regions of New Zealand’s North Island. It is the largest, but not the tallest, species of tree in New Zealand. The tree has a smooth bark and small narrow leaves. Kauri forests are one of the most ancient forests in the world. Its ancestors appeared during the Jurassic period, but the tree has evolved considerably since then. In warmer regions of northern New Zealand, the Kauri tree occurs abundantly as compared to the south.
30. The Patagonian Cypress Tree (Fitzroya Cupressoides)
The Patagonian Cypress tree, also called alerce and lahuán, is a long-lived coniferous tree native to the Andes Mountains of southern Chile and Argentina. It is one of the most important trees in the Valdivian temperate rainforests. It is the largest tree species in South America, growing up to 60 meters in height and 5 meters in diameter. The species was heavily water-logged in the 19th to 20th century, before which even larger specimens existed.
Fun fact: Charles Darwin, the famous evolutionary biologist, found a specimen of the Patagonian Cypress tree that was 12.6 meters in diameter!
31. The Tanoak Tree (Notholithocarpus Densiflorus)
The Tanoak or Tanbark-oak tree is an evergreen broadleaf tree native to the western United States. It grows in California as far as the Transverse Ranges, from north to southwest Oregon, and in the eastern part of Sierra Nevada. It gets its name due to the high amount of tannin present in its bark, used as a natural dye for leather.
The tree has alternate toothed leaves and also bears acorns. The Hupa people use the acorns to make meal which works as a flour substitute in bread, pancakes, biscuits, and cake.
32. The Black Spruce Tree (Picea Mariana)
The Black Spruce tree is a slow-growing evergreen conifer native to Canada. It is common in all parts of Canada and grows in all ten provinces. The Black Spruce tree is also the official tree of Newfoundland and Labrador, where it grows abundantly. It is an upright tree with a straight trunk and short, drooping branches. The bark is thin, scaly, and gray-brown, while its leaves are dark bluish-green.
33. The Atlantic White Cedar Tree (Chamaecyparis Thyoides)
The Atlantic White Cedar tree, also called Southern White Cedar, Atlantic White Cypress, and False-cypress, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the Atlantic coast of North America. These trees grow in forested wetlands where they commonly dominate the canopy. The Red Maple and Black Gum tree usually occur alongside the Atlantic White Cedar tree in the canopy.
They prefer moist soil saturated with water during the majority of their growing season. Their bark is ash-grey to reddish-brown while the leaves are long, scale-like, and blueish-green.
34. The Western Red Cedar Tree (Thuja Plicata)
The Western Red Cedar tree, also called Giant Arbovitae, Western Arbovitae, Giant Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, and Shinglewood, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to western North America. It is one of the most widespread trees in the Pacific Northwest. It commonly grows alongside Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock trees. Its scale-like leaves are strongly aromatic with a sweet, to[ical scent. The Western Cedar tree is a long-lived tree with the oldest specimen being 1,460 years old.
35. The Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria Araucana)
The Monkey Puzzle tree, also called Monkey Tail tree, Chilean pine, Pewen, and Piñonero, is an evergreen tree native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. It is the national tree of Chile, and one of the hardiest species of conifer trees of its genus.
The Monkey Puzzle tree is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 40 meters in height. It grows well in temperate climates with ample rainfall and well-drained, slightly acidic, volcanic soil.
36. The Western Juniper (Juniperus Occidentalis)
The Western Juniper tree is a small evergreen shrub native to western United States that grows in mountains at high altitudes. It is a widespread species with a gradual increase in population over he years. The Western Juniper is similar to the Sierra Juniper, but differs by range, form, and essential oil.
The tree usualyl grows on dry, rocky sites with less competition from other trees. Its scale-like leaves and berry-like cones give it a striking appearance.
37. The Northern White Cedar Tree (Thuja Occidentalis)
The Northern White Cedar tree, also called Swamp Cedar, American Arbovitae, Eastern Arbovitae and Eastern White Cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to eastern Canada and many regions of the northeastern and north-central United States. The name Arbovitae usually denotes that the bark, leaves, and twigs, of a tree have medicinal properties.
It is a common addition to home gardens as an ornamental plant. Naturally, it grows in wet forests, coniferous swamps, and cliffs.
38. The Southern Magnolia Tree (Magnolia Grandiflora)
The Southern Magnolia tree, also called Bull Bay, Laurel Magnolia, and Evergeen Magnolia, is a medium to large-sized evergreen native to the southeastern United States. The tree is large and has a striking appearance due to its large dark green leaves and fragrant, white flowers. Naturally, the Southern Magnolia tree only grows in the lowland subtropical forests on the Gulf and south Atlantic coastal plain, but widely cultivated in warmer parts around the world.
The wood of the Southern Magnolia tree is strong and heavy, often used to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.
39. The Western Hemlock Tree (Tsuga Heterophylla)
The Western Hemlock tree is a very large evergreen coniferous tree native to the west coast of North America. It is one of the integral trees in the Pacific Northwest forests located west of the Pacific Coast Ranges. It is the largest species among other Hemlock trees. Western Hemlock trees prefer temperate rainforests, but also grow in rocky areas.
Fun fact: the famous Chanterelle mushrooms actually grow on the Western Hemlock tree.
40. The Dawn Redwood Tree (Metasequoia Glyptostroboides)
The Dawn Redwood tree is a fast-growing coniferous tree native to south-central China. It was largely considered an extinct species, but small populations alive in central China were found recently. This fast-growing ornamental plant is common in botanical gardens around the world.
The Dawn Redwood tree has long, bright green leaves that turn reddish-brown in fall. Since its rediscovery, the tree gained popularity as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens around the world.
Fun fact: The largest Dawn Redwood tree in China is around 50 meters, but it was killed by a lightning strike in 1951.