Connecticut Native Trees

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State Tree: White Oak

Connecticut

The Constitution State, 'He who transplanted sustains'

™

Native Trees of Connecticut

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One of Connecticut's many natural

wonders are the remnants from the time of

glaciers. A stroll along the famous beaches of

Long Island Sound reveals sediment left over

from 2 separate periods where glaciers covered

all of Connecticut. Although much of it is sand to

pebble size, some is as fine as silt or as large

as boulders. Even hiking through the woods on

part of the Appalachian Trail, you may see

scattered rocks and boulders, the rounded

corners evidence of glacial wearing, which

• Connecticut Native Trees A to Z

• Connecticut Tree Facts

• Connecticut Tree Families and Species

• Endangered/Threatened Species

• Tree Nurseries in Connecticut

seem out of place. These boulders are also some of the debris left by the glacial retreats

and upon touching them, you can be physically connected to events occurring between

15,000 and 17,500 years ago. Stand alone large angular slabs of rocks are a gateway to

26,000 years ago when glacial runoff filled cracks in the the rocks, then froze and expanded,

separating the rocks and moving them. The cold glacial history is evident just about

anywhere you look in Connecticut.

In some areas, large shiny boulders lie at the base of outcroppings. The glimmer in the

sunlight can be attributed to the composition, called schist, which contains high amounts of

mica and amphibole. Made from high pressure and heat, this ancient rock from deep within

the earth splits and breaks easily and is often covered in a blanket of lichen. With such

geological upheaval and change in its past, waterfalls are common and are the highlight of

many state parks. Bisected by the Connecticut River, central Connecticut is home to the

beautiful and pristine Connecticut River Valley and has a wide variety of birds and wildlife.

There are also many lakes that offer great fishing in the summer and great, if not colder, ice

fishing in winter. Connecticut is a unique landscape, with exposed ancient bedrock,

waterfalls, and more forested land within its borders than any other state. With over 130

state maintained parks and forests, finding a weekend getaway is just a short drive down the

road.

Connecticut Tree Facts

Forested acres: 1.68 million
Percent of land forested: 60% (approximate)
Number of State Parks or Forests: 105 parks, 32 state forests
Number of National Forests: 0
Number of Tree city USA communities: 19
Number of invasive trees: 53 (see state list for noxious/invasive plants)
Damaging insects of high concern: Emerald Ash Borer
Number of tree families in our collection: 26
Number of endangered or threatened species in our collection: 11

References:
Connecticut Judicial Branch, Law Libraries
Connecticut.gov
National Park Service, http://www.fs.usda.gov/
USDA, Forestry Service, FEIS
EDDMapS. 2013. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed January 17, 2013.

Additional state resources:

Connecticut State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Parks and Forests

Follow the links to view species native to Connecticut. If the genus is not linked, species are listed on the family page.

Aceraceae, Maple
Anacardiaceae, Sumac
    Rhus, Sumac
Betulaceae, Birch
     Betula, Birch
     Carpinus, Hornbeam
     Corylus, Hazelnut
     Ostrya, Hophornbeam
Bignoniaceae, Trumpet Creeper
     Catalpa, Catalpa
     Chilopsis, Desert Willow
Caprifoliaceae, Honeysuckle
     Sambucus, Elderberry
     Viburnum, Viburnum
Cornaceae, Dogwood
     Cornus, Dogwood
     Nyssa, Tupelo
Cupressaceae- Cypress
     Chamaecyparis, Cedar
     Juniperus, Juniper
     Thuja, Arborvitae

Connecticut Tree Families and Genera

click to enlarge.

Useful information while browsing species:

• How to read a botanical name

• How to use our species boxes:

-Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered

Please note: This is not a complete list of all native tree families and species found in Connecticut. We are constantly working towards a more comprehensive list and will add families and their species as completed.

Additional Resources:

North American Native Tree Families
North American A to Z List by Scientific Name
North American A to Z List by Common Name

Fabaceae, Pea
Fagaceae, Beech
    Quercus, Oak
Hamaelidaceae, Witch-hazel
Juglandaceae, Walnut
     Carya, Hickory
    Juglans, Walnut
Lauraceae, Laurel
Magnoliaceae, Magnolia
Moraceae, Mulberry
    Morus, Mulberry
Myricaceae, Bayberry
Oleaceae, Olive Family
    Fraxinus, Ash
Pinaceae, Pine
    Abies, Fir
    Pinus, Pine

Platanaceae, Plane-tree
     Platanus, Sycamore
Rosaceae, Rose
    Crataegus, Hawthorn
    Malus, Crab-apple
    Prunus, Plum/Cherry
Rubiaceae, Madder
Rutaceae, Rue
Salicaceae, Willow
    Populus, Cottonwood
    Salix, Willow
Tiliaceae, Lindon
     Tilia, Basswood
Ulmaceae, Elm
    Celtis, Hackberry
    Ulmus, Elm

Connecticut Endangered or Threatened Tree Species

Additional Resources:

North American Rare and Endangered Trees

External Links:
USDA PLANTS Database

This is not a comprehensive list but we are always working on adding more and will update accordingly.

Of Special Concern:

Acer nigrum, Black maple
Cercis canadensis, Eastern redbud
Diospyros virginiana, Common persimmon
Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum
Picea rubens, Red spruce
Prunus alleghaniensis, Allegheny plum
Salix petiolaris, Meadow willow
Salix serissima, Autumn willow
Viburnum nudum, Possumhaw
Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhaw

Threatened:

Salix exigua, Narrowleaf willow
Thuja occidentalis, Northern White Cedar

Looking for a nursery near you?
Check out our nursery listing by county below!

Sorry, we do not currently have any tree nursery listings for this state. We do update these lists, so please check back.

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Endangered:

Abies balsamea, Balsam fir
Amelanchier sanguinea, Roundleaf serviceberry
Morus rubra, Red mulberry
Pinus resinosa, Red pine
Populus heterophylla, Swamp cottonwood
Quercus macrocarpa, Bur oak

More so than many States, the state tree of

Connecticut is intertwined with dramatic and meaningful

history going back beyond the Declaration of

Independence by almost 100 years. In 1687, King James II was trying to revoke the

Charter signed by his predecessor, King Charles II, which granted Connecticut the right

to self governance. In the midst of meetings and distress, the Charter disappeared and

is said to have been hidden by Captain Joseph Wadsworth. In order to secure the

safety of the Charter and prevent

confiscation by the English

governor, it was placed in the hollow

of an unusually large white oak tree

on the estate of George Wyllys, one

of the first governors of the

Connecticut colony. This tree

became known as the Charter Tree

and is most certainly the most

famous tree to ever live in Hartford

and probably the entire state. This

icon of freedom and perseverance

fell during a storm on August 21,

1856, and while all that remains of

its physical form are shoot

descendants, it is forever preserved

on the Connecticut State quarter.

The Charter Oak, oil on canvas, Charles De Wolf Brownell, 1857.

White Oak, Quercus alba

White Oak leaves, Quercus alba

See usage requirements.

    Botanically speaking, White Oaks are a medium sized deciduous tree, reaching 60 to 80 feet in height, found throughout the eastern half of North America. The leaves are lobed and yellowish green when young, turning darker with age. It is a slow growing species but may live as long as 600 years. White oak trees have high genetic variation and will hybridize with other members in the oak genus, Quercus.
    The hard, heavy and strong wood has made this tree species the most important timber species in the southeastern part of its range. It glues and takes a finish well and is used to make furniture, veneer, flooring, railroad ties and even caskets. There is also a high demand for its use in whiskey barrels. White oak wood is also valued as fire wood.
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Ebenaceae, Ebony
Diospyros, Persimmon
Ericaceae, Heath

Tree lists:
•A-Z by scientific
name
•A-Z by common
name
•By Family

For state A-Z list click state name below.