North Carolina Trees

You can probably recognize the logos for your favorite brands with just a quick glance. While most people can easily identify popular apps like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with no problem at all, the majority of homeowners can’t even identify most of the trees in their own backyards.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

The Loblolly Pine is a pine tree native to approximately 15 states in the southeastern U.S. An evergreen tree also known as the “southern yellow pine,” it is the second most common tree in the country, followed by the Red Maple, and is commonly found in lowland and swampy areas. In fact, this is where it gets the name “loblolly” from. In the American South, “loblolly” used to be another name for a mudhole. Thanks to their rapid rate of growth,

These trees are generally planted in forest plantations to be used for pulpwood and lumber.

With the ability to grow up to 115 feet high and five feet around, this tree can be identified by its gray, scaly bark and dark green needles that can grow to be anywhere from 6 to 10 inches in length. It is also called The Bull Pine, thanks to its giant size, and The Rosemary Pine, due to its fragrant resinous foliage.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Perhaps one of the most striking native NC trees, the Red Maple is known for its foliage that turns a vibrant red in the autumn season. The Red Maple generally reaches heights of nearly 100-120 ft., while its signature leaves range from 3 to 5-lobed, with each of the lobes separated by distinct V-shaped angles. Known by many names, this deciduous tree has also been referred to as the “swamp maple,” “water maple,” or “soft maple” and is the most common tree in the United States, making appearances up the entirety of the East Coast.

As a result of their ability to grow so easily, the Red Maple is thought of by many as an invasive species and has slowly taken over some East Coasts forests to the point where it has pushed out Oaks, pines, and other trees native to those areas.Their roots form a dense, fibrous network, which often prevents other plants from growing too close to the trunk. For those with Red Maples on their property, note that these trees are very tolerant of most soils, but prefer a slightly acidic soil paired with moist conditions.

Oak genus (Quercus sp.)

There are nearly 600 different species of Oaks. With about 90 species in the USA and another 160 species in Mexico, the largest variety of those species can be found here in North America. Oaks are easily identifiable thanks to their unique, spirally-arranged leaves and acorns.

Because of their strength and their ability to thrive in a number of different environments,

Oaks can live to be hundreds of years old as they grow into their massive trunks and long, slender limbs. An ever-popular and common tree, the Oak is the state tree of Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.

Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Commonly known as the “tulip tree” for its vibrant yellow flowers, the Yellow Poplar is a flowering tree that can be found across the eastern U.S. and is the state tree of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. These trees bloom in the spring and in their youngest stage will have smooth, dark green bark. As they age, the bark acquires a more rough, rigid appearance that is brownish-gray in color.