Types Of Trees In Maryland

If you’re looking to plant a tree or simply understand the woods around you, knowing the types of trees in Maryland is a great place to start. The state’s forests are a beautiful mix of northern and southern species, creating a unique and resilient landscape.

From the mountains in the west to the coastal plains, Maryland’s native trees provide critical habitat, clean our air and water, and offer stunning seasonal color. Let’s look at some of the most common and important varieties you’ll encounter.

Maryland’s forests can be grouped into three main regions, each with its characteristic trees. The Appalachian region in the west features rich, mixed hardwood forests. The Piedmont Plateau in central Maryland has a transition forest. The Coastal Plain in the east includes pine forests and wetland species.

Major Native Canopy Trees

These are the giants that form the upper layer of the forest. They are crucial for providing structure and shade.

White Oak (Quercus alba): The state tree of Maryland. It’s a massive, long-lived tree with light gray bark and leaves with rounded lobes. Its acorns are a vital food source for wildlife.
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra): A fast-growing oak with bark featuring shiny stripes. Its leaves have pointed lobes and turn a brilliant red in the fall.
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera): One of the tallest eastern hardwoods. It has distinctive tulip-shaped leaves and beautiful greenish-yellow flowers in late spring.
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia): Known for its smooth, gray bark and golden bronze fall foliage. Beech nuts are enclosed in a prickly husk.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Extremely adaptable and common. It’s famous for its vibrant red flowers in early spring and brilliant scarlet fall color.
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda): A dominant pine in Maryland’s Coastal Plain. It grows quickly and has long needles, usually in bundles of three.

Important Understory and Smaller Trees

These trees grow beneath the canopy, adding diversity and food for birds and pollinators. They are often excellent choices for residential landscaping.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): A beloved small tree with showy white spring flowers and red berries in fall. It prefers partial shade.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Another spring stunner, covered in tiny pink-purple flowers on its branches before its heart-shaped leaves appear.
American Holly (Ilex opaca): An evergreen tree with spiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries on female plants, providing winter interest and food.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): A small tree that produces North America’s largest native fruit. Its large, tropical-looking leaves create dense thickets in moist areas.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis): Also called shadbush, it has delicate white flowers in early spring, edible berries in June, and nice orange-red fall color.

Trees for Specific Maryland Conditions

Choosing a tree that matches your site is key to its success. Here are some recommendations based on common Maryland conditions.

For Wet or Poorly Drained Soils

These trees are naturally found along streams and in bottomlands. They can handle periodic flooding.

River Birch (Betula nigra) – Peeling cinnamon-colored bark.
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) – Tolerates heavy, wet soil.
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) – Spectacular fall color, even in wet sites.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) – A deciduous conifer that thrives in water.

For Dry, Rocky, or Urban Sites

These tough species are more drought-tolerant and can handle the compacted soils and pollution of city life.

Post Oak (Quercus stellata) – Very drought-resistant once established.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) – A hardy evergreen that provides winter cover for birds.
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) – Tolerates wind, pollution, and poor soil.
White Ash (Fraxinus americana) – Note: threatened by Emerald Ash Borer, so plant with caution.

How to Identify Common Native Trees

You can start identifying trees by looking at a few key features. Always carry a local field guide for best results.

Look at the leaves. Are they needles (pine, cedar) or broad leaves (oak, maple)? For broad leaves, note the shape, edges, and how they are arranged on the twig.
Examine the bark. Is it smooth, furrowed, scaly, or peeling? Bark patterns become more distinctive as a tree ages.
Check for fruit, nuts, or cones. Acorns indicate an oak. “Helicopter” seeds indicate a maple. Small fleshy berries might be a dogwood or serviceberry.
Consider the overall form. Is the tree tall and straight, or short and spreading? Does it have a single trunk or multiple stems?

Benefits of Planting Native Maryland Trees

Choosing native species for your property supports the local ecosystem in many ways. They are adapted to our climate and soils, making them generally easier to care for than non-natives.

Wildlife Support: Native trees provide the specific food (leaves, nuts, berries) and shelter that Maryland’s birds, insects, and mammals have relied on for centuries.
Low Maintenance: Once established, they typically require less watering and are more resistant to local pests and diseases.
Soil and Water Health: Their deep root systems prevent erosion, filter rainwater, and recharge groundwater supplies more effectively than many non-native trees.
Preserving Biodiversity: Planting natives helps maintain the genetic heritage of Maryland’s forests and prevents the spread of invasive species.

Common Threats to Maryland’s Forests

Being aware of these threats helps you monitor the health of trees on your land and make informed planting choices.

Invasive Pests: The Emerald Ash Borer has devastated ash populations. The Spotted Lanternfly threatens many tree species, including maples and walnuts.
Invasive Plants: Non-native vines like English Ivy and shrubs like Bush Honeysuckle can smother and outcompete young native trees.
Deer Overbrowsing: High deer populations eat the seedlings and saplings of many preferred species, preventing forest regeneration.
Diseases: Dogwood Anthracnose and Sudden Oak Death are examples of diseases that can affect specific native tree populations.

Getting Started with Native Tree Planting

Ready to plant? Follow these basic steps to give your tree the best chance to thrive for generations.

Choose the Right Tree: Match the tree’s needs for sun, soil, and space to your planting site. Consider its mature size—don’t plant a large oak under a power line.
Source Responsibly: Purchase trees from a reputable nursery that specializes in native plants. Ensure they are grown from local seed sources when possible.
Plant Correctly: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The root flare (where trunk widens at the base) should be slightly above ground level. Backfill with the original soil.
Water and Mulch: Water deeply for the first two growing seasons. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch in a ring around the tree (not piled against the trunk) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

FAQ About Maryland Trees

What is the most common tree in Maryland?

Red Maple is likely the most widespread native tree across the state due to its adaptability to different soils and moisture conditions.

What trees are native to Maryland for landscaping?

Excellent native choices include Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Serviceberry, American Holly, and various oaks like White Oak, depending on your available space.

What kind of pine trees are native to Maryland?

Loblolly Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine, and Pitch Pine are all native pines found in different regions of the state.

Are there any trees I should avoid planting?

Yes, avoid invasive non-natives like Norway Maple, Tree-of-Heaven, and Bradford/Callery Pear. These can escape cultivation and harm natural areas.

Where can I learn more about Maryland’s native trees?

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and university extension services offer excellent online guides and resources. Visiting a local native plant nursery or arboretum is also very helpful.

Planting and protecting native trees is one of the best investments you can make in Maryland’s environmental future. By choosing a species that belongs here, you’re supporting a whole community of life and ensuring that our forests remain healthy and diverse. Take a walk in a local woodland to see these trees in their natural setting—it’s the best way to apreciate their beauty and role in the landscape.