Montana Native Trees

Forested acres: 25.5 million (2012)
Percent of total area forested: 27%
Predominant Forest Type(s): Douglas-Fir, Pine
Number of National Forests: 10
Number of State Parks: 54
Number of Tree city USA communities: 41
Number of invasive tree species: 1 (see state list for noxious/invasive plants)
Insects of Concern: Mountain Pine Beetle, Western Spruce Budworm
Pathogens of Concern: Root Diseases- Armillaria root disease, laminated root disease, annosus root rot
Number or Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species: NA
Number of tree families in our collection: 31

Sources:
Arborday.org
US Forest Service
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks: Montana Outdoors
United States Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services: PLANTS Database

Additional state resources:
Montana State Parks
Montana State University Extension Service

The Big Sky State, 'Gold and Silver'

State Tree: Ponderosa Pine

Montana

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-Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered

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Native Trees of Montana

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For state A-Z list click state name below.

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The landscape of Montana is beautiful

and captivating, and with 54 State Parks and 10

National Forests, there are plenty of ways to enjoy

the preserved greenery. As one might expect, the

forests of Montana are dominated with native

conifers like ponderosa pine, spruce, fir trees, and

high altitude decidous species like larch. Rivers and

streams are often lined with a mix of conifers and

white barked aspen while Douglas-fir trees creep up

the mountain sides. Generally speaking of the state

as a whole, roughly 66% of the forests are Douglas-

fir, lodgepole pine, or ponderosa pine types, there are

however, over 15 species of conifers native to Montana. With so many conifer species to

choose from, its no wonder the cities of Montana have embraced the evergreen benefits of

conifers by planting high numbers of urban trees. Over half the population of Montana live in

cities with Tree City USA designation.

While Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine can typically be found throughout the state, there are

some regional differences in forest cover types and associated species. In northwest Montana

for example, nature lovers can walk among subalpine fir trees high in the mountains or venture

a little to the south and enjoy an abundances of alpine larch and white bark pine or western red

cedar in the valley bottoms.

Elevation also plays an important role in the forest types. The lower elevation foothills, for

example, are home to semi-arid grasslands where ponderosa pine grow in conjunction with

cottonwood trees. Higher up, ponderosa pines give way to lodgepole pines and the decidous

cottonwoods are replaced with larch. Higher still, whitebark pine is the dominate member of

• Montana Native Trees A to Z

• Montana Tree Facts

• Montana Tree Families and Species

• Endangered/Threatened Species

• Tree Nurseries in Montana

Montana Native Tree Facts

Montana Native Tree Families and Genera

Useful information while browsing species:

• How to read a botanical name

• How to use our species boxes:

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

click to enlarge.

-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 Montana. We are constantly working towards a more comprehensive list and will add families and their species as completed.

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

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

Fabaceae, Pea
   Gleditsia, Locust
Fagaceae, Beech
    Quercus, Oak
Oleaceae, Olive
    Fraxinus, Ash
Pinaceae, Pinus
    Abies, Fir
    Pinus, Pine
    Pseudotsuga, Douglas-fir

Rhamnaceae, Buckthorn
Rosaceae, Rose
    Crataegus, Hawthorn
Salicaceae, Willow
    Populus, Cottonwood
    Salix, Willow
Ulmaceae, Elm
    Ulmus, Elm
Taxaceae, Yew
    Taxus, Yew

Montana Endangered or Threatened Tree Species

While there are a few plants species endangered or threatened in

Montana, there are no tree species of concern at this time.

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.

Additional Resources:

North American Rare and Endangered Trees

External Links:
USDA PLANTS Database

A firmaret radicem amittere possit foliis in vento et triturabis bacchatur durante tempestas, sed supersit quia est flexibilis. Talis est vita.

An icon of western North America, Ponderosa pine was named the State Tree of Montana in 1949. The most widely distributed tree species of the west, Ponderosa pines are found on semiarid slopes or plataeu at elevations between 6,000 and 8,500 feet. Ponderosa pines are towering trees, regularly hitting the record books and recently taking the title of tallest pine in the world at a staggering 268.35 feet tall. Height ranges between 150 to 223 feet usually, but greater heights have been recorded at optimum sites. Trunk diameter is typically no larger than 4 feet. Ponderosa pines have a single trunk with rough scaly bark. When young, the bark is dark brown and matures into broad,irregular, reddish-brown to almost orange plates. The crown is broad and open when mature but younger trees have more of a pyramidal structure. ...Read more

Photo citation: USDA NRCS Database/ Herman D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota Tree Handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Authority, Bismark

the pine genus and grows with trees like Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and Douglas-fir, which grows at the highest elevation of all Montana native tree species.
There are numerous threats to the forests of Montana. Various root rot diseases, such as annosus root rot and armillaria root disease, affecting about 8 million acres according to the State's 2012 Forest Health Assessment. Other than pathogens, there are several insect pests being monitored throughout Montana. Mountain pine beetles, which appear to be on the decline, continue to cause mortality among the native and non-native pine species. Western spruce budworm is an insect pest found in almost all counties, which is on the rise, and causing widespread defoliation. Repeated heavy infestions east of the Continental Divide in particular, are severely impacting douglas-fir trees and other host tree species.
Montana's Department of Natural Resources and Conservation keeps a record of the largest trees in the state, seven of which are National or National Co-Champion trees. The western half of the state dominates the list of champion trees but Ravalli County in southwestern Montana holds more than any other with 27 state champions- 2 of which are also National Champions. The tallest tree in the state (as of the 2013 Big Tree List) is a 203 ft Engelmann Spruce in Sanders Co., followed by a ponderosa pine in Mineral Co. which stands 194 ft.