Illinois is home to a beautiful and diverse collection of trees. If you’re looking to plant a new tree or just identify one in your yard, knowing the types of trees in Illinois – native and common is a great place to start. This guide will help you recognize the trees that define our local landscapes, from the mighty oaks of the woods to the common maples lining our streets.
Understanding native trees is key for a healthy garden. They’re adapted to our soil and climate, needing less water and care once established. They also provide essential food and shelter for local birds, insects, and wildlife. Let’s look at some of the stars of the Illinois arboreal world.
Types of Trees in Illinois – Native and Common
We can group the most important trees by their families and roles in the landscape. This makes it easier to choose the right one for your needs.
Majestic Native Oaks
Oaks are the backbone of many Illinois forests. They are slow-growing but incredibly strong, offering superb shade and wildlife value.
* White Oak: The state tree of Illinois. It has light gray, scaly bark and leaves with rounded lobes. Its acorns are a crucial food source for many animals.
* Bur Oak: Known for its massive size and huge, fringed acorn caps. It’s very tolerant of tough conditions, including drought.
* Red Oak: Has pointed leaf lobes and darker bark. It grows faster than white oak and provides brilliant red fall color.
Iconic Hickories and Walnuts
These trees are part of the same family and are famous for their hard wood and edible nuts.
* Shagbark Hickory: Easy to identify by its long, loose strips of bark that peel away from the trunk. The sweet nuts are a treat for people and squirrels alike.
* Black Walnut: Produces valuable timber and distinct, round nuts. Be aware that its roots release a substance called juglone that can harm some nearby plants like tomatoes.
Common Understory Trees
These smaller trees thrive in the partial shade of larger forest giants.
* Flowering Dogwood: A stunning small tree with white spring flowers and red fall berries that birds love. It prefers some afternoon shade.
* Eastern Redbud: One of the first splashes of spring color, with tiny magenta-pink flowers covering its branches before the heart-shaped leaves appear.
Popular Native Maples
Maples are loved for there brilliant fall foliage and are common in both wild and urban areas.
* Sugar Maple: The source of maple syrup! Its leaves have smooth, U-shaped notches between points. Fall color is a spectacular mix of orange, red, and yellow.
* Silver Maple: A fast-grower often found along streams. The underside of its leaves is silvery-white. It’s useful for quick shade but has brittle wood.
* Red Maple: Very adaptable to wet or dry sites. Its twigs, buds, and, of course, fall leaves show a brilliant red hue.
Essential Evergreens
While Illinois is known for deciduous forests, we have key evergreens that provide year-round color and windbreaks.
* Eastern White Pine: Soft, bluish-green needles in bundles of five. It grows tall and pyramidal, offering excellent screening.
* Eastern Red Cedar: Actually a juniper, this tough tree has scale-like foliage and berry-like cones. It’s a pioneer species, often the first to grow in abandoned fields.
Common Non-Native (But Naturalized) Trees
Some trees, though not originally from here, are now commonly seen and can even naturalize in wild areas.
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus): Often mistaken for sumac or walnut. It grows extremely fast and is highly invasive, spreading by root suckers. It’s generally not recommended for planting.
* Siberian Elm: A tough, drought-resistant tree often found in hedgerows. It has small leaves and can be prone to branch breakage.
How to Choose the Right Illinois Tree for Your Yard
Picking a tree is a long-term commitment. Follow these steps to make a smart choice.
1. Check Your Space: Measure the available height and width. Never plant a large oak under power lines or to close to your house’s foundation.
2. Test Your Soil: Is your soil mostly clay (common in Illinois) or more sandy? Some trees, like pin oak, need acidic soil, while others are more adaptable.
3. Consider Sun and Water: Note how many hours of direct sun the spot gets. Also, think about how much supplemental watering you can provide in the first few years.
4. Define Your Goal: Do you want shade, spring flowers, fall color, wildlife food, or all of the above? This will narrow your list quickly.
5. Buy Local: Seek out a nursery that sells trees grown from local seed sources. These will be best adapted to our climate.
Caring for Your Newly Planted Tree
Proper planting and early care ensures your tree thrives for decades.
* Planting Depth: This is critical! The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) must be visible above the soil line. Planting to deep is a common cause of tree death.
* Watering: Water deeply once a week for the first two to three growing seasons, especially during dry spells. A slow trickle from a hose for 30 minutes is better than a quick sprinkle.
* Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of wood chip mulch in a wide circle around the tree. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk itself to prevent rot.
* Pruning: In the early years, only prune to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning.
FAQ About Illinois Trees
What are some fast-growing native trees for Illinois?
Silver maple, sycamore, and river birch are among the faster-growing natives. Remember, fast growth often means softer wood that can be more susceptible to storm damage.
Which Illinois trees have the best fall color?
Sugar maple is famous for its oranges and reds. Red maple lives up to its name, and white oak provides deep russet and purple hues. Sweetgum is another native with spectacular multicolored leaves.
What is a good small native tree for a city yard?
Serviceberry is a fantastic choice. It has white spring flowers, edible summer berries for you and birds, and lovely orange-red fall color. It rarely gets over 25 feet tall.
How can I tell if a tree is native or invasive?
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local extension offices have excellent guides. Invasive trees like Callery pear (Bradford pear) and tree of heaven often spread aggressively into natural areas, crowding out native species.
When is the best time to plant a tree in Illinois?
Fall is ideal, as the cool air reduces stress on the tree while the warm soil encourages root growth. Early spring, after the ground thaws, is the next best time.
Choosing the right tree for your Illinois landscape is a rewarding process. By selecting a native species, you’re investing in a piece of our local ecology that will provide beauty, shade, and habitat for many years to come. Take your time, do a little research, and you’ll find the perfect arboreal partner for your space.