Tennessee’s forests are a beautiful and vital part of the state’s landscape. If you’re curious about the types of trees in Tennessee, you’re looking at a wonderfully diverse collection. From the misty peaks of the Smokies to the rolling hills of the Central Basin, native trees define our scenery and support local wildlife. This guide will help you identify and appreciate the common native forest varieties you can find right here.
Understanding these trees is key for any gardener or nature lover. It helps you choose the right species for your property, support local ecosystems, and connect with Tennessee’s natural heritage. Let’s get to know some of the trees that call this state home.
Types of Trees in Tennessee
Tennessee’s forests are primarily deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in fall. This creates our famous seasonal color displays. The state can be divided into three main regions, each with its own character: the Eastern Highlands, the Central Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plain to the west. The mix of species shifts as you travel across these areas.
Here are some of the most iconic and widespread native trees you’ll encounter.
The Majestic Oaks
Oaks are the backbone of many Tennessee woods. They are keystone species, providing food and habitat for countless animals.
White Oak (Quercus alba): Known for its light gray, scaly bark and leaves with rounded lobes. Its acorns are sweeter and a crucial food source for wildlife. The wood is incredibly durable.
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra): This fast-growing oak has bark with shiny stripes and leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped lobes. It’s a common and valuable timber tree.
Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata): Often has a distinctive leaf shape that resembles a turkey foot, with three bristle-tipped lobes. It thrives in drier, poorer soils.
Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana): Found on rocky ridges, its thick, deeply fissured bark is unmistakable. The leaves have rounded, scalloped edges.
The Stately Hickories
Hickories are another essential group, famous for their hard wood and, in some cases, delicious nuts.
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata): Easy to identify by its long, loose, shaggy strips of gray bark that peel away from the trunk. The nuts are edible and sweet.
Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa): Has tight, interlacing bark ridges and very large compound leaves. The nut is mostly shell with a small kernel, hence the name “mockernut.”
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra): Its bark is tighter than shagbark, with interlacing ridges. The nut is usually bitter, historically eaten by livestock.
Other Common Hardwood Giants
Beyond oaks and hickories, these trees fill out the forest canopy.
Yellow Poplar (Tulip Tree) (Liriodendron tulipifera): Tennessee’s state tree. It grows very straight and tall, with unique tulip-shaped flowers in spring and leaves that look like they’ve been cut flat across the top.
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): The source of maple syrup and spectacular fall color, ranging from bright yellow to fiery orange. Its leaves have the classic five-lobed maple shape.
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia): Holds onto its pale, paper-thin leaves all winter. Its smooth, gray bark is often a target for carvings. It produces small, triangular nuts.
White Ash (Fraxinus americana): Note: This tree is critically threatened by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. It has compound leaves and diamond-patterned bark. Its wood is prized for tool handles.
Important Trees of the Understory and Special Habitats
Not all trees reach the top of the forest. Many beautiful species grow in the understory, along streams, or in specific soils.
Flowering Understory Trees
These smaller trees add layers of beauty in the spring.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): A beloved native with showy white (sometimes pink) spring blooms. The flowers are actually bracts surrounding a tiny cluster of true flowers. It has red berries in fall.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Covered in bright pink-purple flowers directly on its branches in early spring, before its heart-shaped leaves appear.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea): One of the first to flower in spring, with delicate white petals. It produces sweet, edible berries that birds love.
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum): Has fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers in summer and brilliant crimson foliage in the fall. Its leaves have a distinct sour taste.
Trees of Wet Areas and Riverbanks
These species are adapted to thrive where the soil is often moist.
River Birch (Betula nigra): Recognizable by its beautiful, peeling cinnamon-brown to cream-colored bark. It naturally grows along streams and is resistant to many pests.
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis): A massive tree often seen along rivers. Its mottled, camouflage-patterned bark (flaking to reveal white, green, and brown patches) makes it easy to spot.
Black Willow (Salix nigra): A fast-growing but relatively short-lived tree that stabilizes stream banks with its extensive root system.
Identifying Key Tennessee Conifers
While less common than hardwoods, several evergreen conifers are vital to Tennessee forests, especially in the east.
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus): Found in the higher elevations of East Tennessee. It has soft, flexible needles in bundles of five and a graceful, feathery appearance.
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata): The most widespread pine in Tennessee. It has needles in bundles of two or three and small, prickly cones.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): Creates cool, dark groves in moist, shaded coves. Its needles are flat, short, and arranged in two rows. It is currently threatened by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid insect.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Actually a juniper, this tough pioneer tree invades old fields. It has two types of foliage: prickly juvenile needles and softer, scale-like adult foliage. Its berry-like cones are blue.
Why Planting Native Tennessee Trees Matters
Choosing native trees for your yard or property has significant benefits. They have evolved here over thousands of years, making them perfectly adapted to our local climate, soils, and pests. This means they generally require less water, fewer fertilizers, and minimal pesticides once established.
Native trees are the foundation of local food webs. They host specific caterpillars (like oak trees host hundreds of species) that are essential baby food for birds. Their flowers support native pollinators, and their fruits and nuts feed Tennessee’s wildlife. By planting a native oak instead of a non-native ornamental, you’re supporting an entire ecosystem right in your garden.
How to Select and Plant a Native Tree
Ready to plant? Here’s a simple guide to get you started.
1. Assess Your Site: Look at the sunlight (full sun, part shade, full shade?), soil type (clay, loam, sandy?), and moisture (wet, dry, well-drained?). Match the tree to the site.
2. Choose Your Tree: Pick a species from the lists above that fits your site conditions and your goals (shade, flowers, fall color, wildlife food).
3. Source Responsibly: Buy from a local nursery that specializes in or carries native plants. Avoid collecting from the wild, as it can damage natural populations.
4. Plant Correctly: Dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper. The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) must be level with or slightly above the ground. Backfill with the original soil.
5. Water and Mulch: Water deeply after planting and regularly for the first two years. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch in a wide ring around the tree, but keep it away from the trunk itself.
Common Threats to Tennessee Forests
Our native trees face several serious challenges. Being aware of them helps you monitor and protect the trees on your land.
* Invasive Pests: The Emerald Ash Borer is killing all species of ash trees. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is devastating hemlock populations. The Spotted Lanternfly is a new, major threat that feeds on many tree species.
* Invasive Plants: Non-native vines like Kudzu and English Ivy can smother and kill trees. Shrubs like Autumn Olive and Bush Honeysuckle outcompete tree seedlings.
* Diseases: Oak Wilt and Anthracnose are fungal diseases that can affect several of our native species.
* Habitat Loss: Development fragments forests, making it harder for ecosystems to function.
You can help by monitoring your trees for signs of distress, removing invasive plants from your property, and supporting local conservation efforts. Reporting sightings of invasive pests to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is also crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most common tree in Tennessee?
It’s difficult to name a single most common, but oaks as a group and specifically the White Oak and Northern Red Oak are dominant and widespread across the state.
What trees are native to Middle Tennessee?
Middle Tennessee’s Central Basin features a mix of species like White Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Sugar Maple, Eastern Red Cedar, Black Walnut, and Sycamore along its rivers.
Are there any native pine trees in Tennessee?
Yes. The Shortleaf Pine is widespread, and the Eastern White Pine is native to the higher elevations in East Tennessee. Loblolly Pine is native to the western part of the state.
What is the best native tree to plant for wildlife?
Oak trees are unparalleled. They support more species of caterpillars (bird food) than any other genus, and their acorns are a staple for mammals and birds. Serviceberry and Dogwood are also excellent for birds and pollinators.
How can I identify trees on my Tennessee property?
Start by looking at the leaves (shape, arrangement, edges), bark (color, texture, pattern), and overall shape. A good field guide like the “National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees” or using apps like iNaturalist can be very helpful. Your local UT Extension office is also a fantastic resource.
Tennessee’s native trees are a treasure worth understanding and protecting. Whether you’re hiking in a state park or planning your backyard garden, taking note of these species deepens your connection to the Volunteer State’s rich natural world. By learning their names and stories, you become a better steward for the forests we all enjoy.