Native Trees of Idaho

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Idaho

The Gem State, 'Let it be perpetual'

-Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered

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State Tree: Western White Pine

™

Native Trees of Idaho

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The landscape of Idaho holds many

surprises, which are easy to see in the 27 State

Parks and 11 National Forests and parks. The

majority of the forests in Idaho are sprawling Fir

forests and they conceal some of the most beautiful

little known waterfalls in the country. Thousand

Springs State Park holds the National Natural

Landmark Niagra Springs and many stairstep falls

as the Malad River courses through Malad Gorge.

Mesa Falls is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from

Harriman State Park. The park boasts world class

• Idaho Native Trees A to Z

• Idaho Tree Facts

• Idaho Tree Families and Species

• Endangered/Threatened Species

• Tree Nurseries in Idaho

fly fishing on the Henry's Fork steam, where you can wade into the cool clear waters

surrounded by pine and fir trees and have a weekend getaway at the campgrounds.

Idaho also has 400 foot white quartz sand dunes! Popular with the ATV crowd, the sand

dunes tower above the trees, creating stunning landscapes. At more than 11,000 acres, the

St. Anthony Sand Dunes are a great place to see this unique habitat and enjoy some outdoor

motorized activity. For the nature lover with an interest in history, a visit to the area of

Massacre Rock State Park will treat you to the signatures of many brave pioneers of the

Oregon Trail on nearby Register Rock. Rock climbing after walking through trails of

lodgepole pine, western white pine, and subalpine spruce, is another popular outdoor activity

in Idaho. With locations like Hell's Gate or Castle Rock there are rock climbing experiences

for those of any ability.

Idaho is a land of largely unknown beauty but, as those who have already discovered it

know, has a lot to offer and plenty of activities and adventures to keep the weekend warrior,

or the week long camper, happy and busy but always relaxed!

Idaho Tree Facts

Forested acres: 21.6 million
Percent of total area forested: 41%
Predominant forest type: True Fir-Douglas Fir
Number of National Forests/Parks: 11
Number of State Parks: 27
Number of Tree city USA communities: 70
Number of invasive tree species: 26 (see state list for noxious/invasive plants)
Most damaging insect (to trees): Balsam Wooly Adelgid
Pathogen of Concern: White Pine Blister Rust
Number of tree families in our collection: 11
Number of endangered or threatened species in our collection: 0

Sources:
Idaho Governor's Office of Species Conservation
Visit Idaho.org
Arborday.org
US Forest Service
United States Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services: PLANTS Database
Idaho Forest Products Commission

Additional state resources:
Idaho Governor's Office
Visit Idaho.org
Idaho Parks and Recreation, annual passes available!

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

Aceraceae, Maple
Betulaceae, Birch
    Alnus, Alder
Caprifoliaceae, Honeysuckle
Cornaceae, Dogwood
Cupressaceae- Cypress
    Juniperus, Juniper
    Thuja, Arborvitae

Idaho 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 Idaho. 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
Pinaceae, Pine
    Abies, Fir
    Larix, Larch
    Picea, Spruce
    Pinus, Pine
    Pseudotsuga, Douglas Fir
    Tsuga, Hemlock

Rosaceae, Rose
    Crataegus, Hawthorn
    Prunus, Plum/Cherry
Salicaceae, Willow
    Populus, Cottonwood
    Salix, Willow
Taxaceae, Yew
Ulmaceae, Elm

Idaho 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.

Currently, Idaho has no tree species listed as threatened or endangered.

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.

treesforme.com Webutation

Once the dominant forest type in Idaho, the western white pine was made the State Tree in 1935. In the 40 years, 93% of the Western White Pine forests are gone, largely due to a disease called White Pine Blister Rust. The disease was introduced in 1901 after a farmer send seeds to France and then planted the returned seedlings. From there the deadly fungus spread to the river and then went on to decimate white pine populations, not just in the west but all over North America. Sadly, the mortality rate is greater than the regeneration rate and the white pine forests are disappearing. There is

hope however as individual trees have survived and are seemingly resistant to this non-native pathogen.
The largest remaining stand of Pinus monticola in North American is in the northern part of Idaho. The largest western white pine tree in the world is also fittingly in Idaho, standing at 219 feet and found along the Elk River. This native conifer is mostly found in the Northern Rockies, although small stands do occur elsewhere, growing on gentle slopes with deep soil. It is a rapid growing tree and commonly reaches 175 feet tall. Western White pine trees have thick trunks for a member of the Pinus genus, measuring anywhere from 5 to 8 feet in diameter. The needles grow in bundles of 5 and are 3 to 5 inches long and the pine cones may be 5 inches in length but maybe as long as 15 inches!

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

For state A-Z list click state name below.