Kentucky is a beautiful, biodiverse state with rich forests, wetlands, riparian areas, prairies, thickets, and drier upland forests.
No matter which Kentucky hardiness zone in the warm southwestern forests, the cooler eastern mountains, or the lovely Bluegrass region of the northeast, KY has a rich diversity of habitats that provide us with a huge range of gorgeous and often very unique trees to admire.
Let’s take a look at some of the common and native trees in Kentucky that you will see the next time you go out for a walk or a drive.
Contents show
35 Common & Native Trees That Grow in Kentucky
Simple leaves are just that, simple. They can be round, oval, triangular, and even lobed, but they have one leaf per leaf stalk that attaches to the branch.
1. Tulip Tree – Liriodendron tulipifera – Native Tree
The Tulip Tree is a gorgeous native flowering tree that is an important component of the forests in every county throughout Kentucky, providing structural diversity to the forest and habitat for countless native wildlife. It also happens to be the state tree of KY.
These beautiful trees, with their uniquely lobed leaves and big, beautiful, yellow, tulip-like flowers, are closely related to magnolia trees. In the fall, their leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow.
Tulip Trees are fast-growing trees, 2 – 3 ft per year while young, and also long-lived trees (to 300 years), where they grow to become the tallest of the native American hardwood trees.
These trees grow naturally on north or east-facing slopes, low slopes, and sheltered coves where the soils are moist and deep. They grow best in full sun in moist, acidic, loamy, sandy, or well-drained clay soils but will also tolerate alkaline soils.
Other Common Names: American Tulip Tree, Tulipwood, Tuliptree, Tulip Poplar, Whitewood, Fiddletree, Hickory Poplar, Yellow Poplar
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 100 ft (to 150 ft) tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy yellow flowers bloom in May and June; dry cone-like fruits mature in fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
2. Flowering Dogwood – Cornus florida – Native Tree
Flowering Dogwood is another gorgeous Kentucky native found throughout the state, where it likes to grow in forest edges in rich, fertile soils. They are also widely grown ornamentally in parks, streets, and residential yards throughout KY.
These popular trees are famous for the big, beautiful white ‘flowers’ they produce, which are actually a type of compound flower. The four white ‘petals’ we see are actually showy bracts (modified leaves), while the real flowers are the small greenish-yellow ones in the center.
Flowering Dogwood is also beautiful for its blocky cross-checked bark and rich, glossy green leaves that turn pretty shades of red, orange-red, or burgundy in the fall.
These trees grow best in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil that is high in organic matter.
For more information, you can learn how to identify Flowering Dogwood in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: White Flowering Dogwood, American Dogwood, Florida Dogwood, Indian Arrowwood, White Dogwood, False Boxwood
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 20 – 35 ft (to 66 ft) tall, 20 – 35 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy flowers emerge mid-March to mid-May, lasting 2 – 4 weeks; inedible berry-like red drupes mature from September to October, persisting to December
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
3. Pagoda Dogwood – Cornus alternifolia – Native Tree
You might not immediately recognize the Pagoda Dogwood as a dogwood tree because it doesn’t have the showy bracts on its flowers that we usually think of when picturing a dogwood.
However, like many dogwoods, Pagoda Dogwood has ‘normal’ small, fragrant, white flowers in large flattened clusters. These are followed by rounded blackish-blue berry-like drupes on red stalks that add additional color, but they won’t last long because the birds love them.
These deciduous multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees are native to the eastern ⅔ of Kentucky, where they can be found growing in dry woods, rocky slopes, and in well-drained, moist, acidic soils in rich woodlands.
Pagoda Dogwood’s glossy green leaves are arranged alternately on the stem rather than opposite like others of its genus, giving it its scientific name. In the fall, the leaves turn a soft maroon.
You can also learn how to identify the Pagoda Dogwood.
Other Common Names: Alternate-Leaved Dogwood, Green Osier Dogwood, Green Osi, Golden Shadows
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 12 – 20 ft (to 40 ft) tall, 10 – 20 ft (to 32 ft) spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Fragrant white flowers bloom from May to June; showy berry-like drupes mature from August to September
Available at: Nature Hills
4. Eastern Redbud – Cercis canadensis – Native Tree
Eastern Redbud is another gorgeous flowering tree that is also native throughout Kentucky, where it grows as a small understorey tree in forest edges or in full sun in any moist, well-drained soil. It does not like soggy roots, so it will not be found in low-lying or swampy areas.
These trees are also very popular in the landscaping industry and are often planted as street trees or in parks and residential areas for their compact size and showy spring blossoms.
Eastern Redbuds have prolific pea-like rose-pink blossoms covering the bare branches in early spring before anything else emerges from winter dormancy. After the flowers fade, their gorgeous green heart-shaped leaves fill the branches, followed by purplish-green legumes (seed pods) that hang from the trees until winter.
You can also learn to identify the Eastern Redbud in its natural environment.
Other Common Names: American Redbud, Redbud
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 20 – 30 ft tall, 15 – 35 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers bloom before the leaves emerge in March or April; legumes mature from late summer to early fall and persist into winter
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
5. American Beech – fa*gus grandifolia – Native Tree
American Beech is another native tree found in almost every Kentucky county. It has great shade tolerance and usually grows in late-succession forests (mature, undisturbed) alongside Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, and Eastern Hemlock in moist, well-drained slopes and rich bottomlands.
What I love most about these big, beautiful trees is their dark green leaves that turn bronze in the fall, then fade to tan, and often remain on the tree all winter. I love looking at them in the winter with their tan leaves against that spectacular smooth, shiny, silver-gray bark they have.
These long-lived trees provide important structural diversity and habitat for wildlife, and their fruits (beech nuts) are an important food source.
American Beech has dense, shallow root systems that require abundant water but do not tolerate poorly drained or compacted soils. They are not often grown ornamentally because they are intolerant of urban pollution and road salts.
Other Common Names: Beech, Beechnut Tree, Red Beech, White Beech, Ridge Beech
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 80 ft (to 120 ft) tall, 40 – 80 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom from late April to early May; edible fruits mature in fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
6. Northern Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa – Native Tree
The Northern Catalpa is another gorgeous native flowering tree found in scattered populations throughout Kentucky, where it likes to grow in full sun or partial shade in riparian areas, moist bottomlands, forest edges, shrub lands, meadows, and drier upland forests.
This gorgeous medium to large-sized tree has big, beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers and long, thin, legume-like seed pods that mature in fall and persist all winter.
Northern Catalpas are highly adaptable trees that prefer moist, fertile loams but will tolerate wet, dry, clay, sand, acidic, and alkaline soils, as well as urban pollution, moderate drought, and heat.
They are very popular ornamental trees often planted in parks and residential yards throughout the state. They have brittle wood, however, and can be prone to wind and ice damage. But that can be addressed by growing them in a protected location and pruning any damage if it occurs.
Northern Catalpas are an excellent landscaping tree that many people plant to help transform their yards.
Other Common Names: Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Catawba-Tree, Bois Chavanon
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 ft (to 90 ft) tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers bloom from late spring to early summer; long, slender seed pods mature in fall and persist into winter
Available at: Nature Hills
7. Sassafras – Sassafras albidum – Native Tree
Sassafras is native and widespread in Kentucky, found in almost every county.
They have profuse spring blossoms of small yellow flowers that cover the branches before their big, beautiful, light green lobed leaves appear. In summer, they produce small dark blue berry-like drupes on red stalks, attracting countless birds to the feast. Finally, the leaves display spectacular fall colors with bright reds, oranges, and yellows.
Sassafras was made famous for being the original source of root beer flavoring (now banned), and the entire tree emits pleasant aromas of cinnamon from the bark, root beer from the roots, and leaves that smell of lemon and cinnamon when they are squeezed.
These trees grow best in sandy, acidic, well-drained soils. Sassafras are highly adaptable and will tolerate most soil types if they drain well. They are drought tolerant once established but do not withstand wind and ice damage very well.
Other Common Names: White Sassafras, Common Sassafras, Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood, Smelling Stick, Saloop, Mitten Tree
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 60 ft tall, 25 – 40 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers emerge with the leaves in April or May; berry-like drupes mature in September
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
8. River Birch – Betula nigra – Native Tree
River Birch is native to Kentucky, especially the east and the southwest, with scattered populations elsewhere. They typically grow in full sun or partial shade along rivers, swamps, and floodplains, giving them their common name.
These are also very popular landscape trees and planted throughout KY for their fast growth ( 1.5 – 2 ft per year) and gorgeous exfoliating bark that peels off in large strips to reveal layers of salmon-pink to reddish-brown bark, adding year-round color to the landscape.
River Birch has dark green leaves that make great summer shade. In the fall, they turn a soft, buttery yellow.
These trees prefer rich, moist soil but do have some drought tolerance and are one of the few heat-tolerant birch trees. They are also wind-resistant since their branches tend to bend rather than break.
You can also learn how to identify River Birch in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: Black Birch, Red Birch, Water Birch
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 80 ft tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers in catkins bloom in early spring; tiny samaras (winged seeds) mature early in the year in late spring
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
9. Black Willow – Salix nigra – Native Tree
Black Willow is a widespread native willow tree found in almost every county in Kentucky. They like to grow in full sun in riparian areas alongside streams, rivers, and lakes, as well as in ditches and moist bottomlands.
These trees have lovely green, narrow willow leaves typical of willows, bright yellow catkins in spring, and interesting bark that usually becomes very deeply V-grooved as it matures.
Black Willows are fast-growing trees with weak wood and aggressive moisture-loving roots that can damage sewage pipes. Because of this, they are only occasionally grown ornamentally; the Weeping Willow is probably the most commonly grown ornamental willow in KY.
However, Black Willows are now widely being used in riparian buffers to help remove excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff, where they clean the wetlands and help control the overgrowth of algae.
For more information, check out how to identify Black Willow.
Other Common Names: Southwestern Black Willow, Swamp Willow, Black Gulf Willow
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 60 ft (to 80 ft) tall, 30 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small flowers emerge in catkins before the leaves, usually March to April; capsular fruits ripen from April to July
Available at: Nature Hills
10. Callery Pear – Pyrus calleryana – Common (& Invasive) Tree
The Callery Pear was once widely planted across North America as a hardy ornamental flowering tree, even though the flowers smell bad and the trees have weak wood that is prone to breakage even in mild storms.
The pears they produce are small, woody, and inedible. Still, they are loved by birds that spread their highly successful seeds around, which invade disturbed areas, grasslands, and plantation forests, sometimes converting non-forest lands into forests.
Even supposed ‘sterile’ cultivars have been shown to cross-pollinate and escape cultivation.
As a result, Callery Pear is recognized as an invasive tree by the USDA and has recently been banned in multiple states.
You will see Callery Pear flowering on the sides of highways, in abandoned fields, and in disturbed areas all throughout Kentucky every spring.
Check out this article I wrote for more information on how to identify and remove Callery Pear.
Other Common Names: Bradford Pear
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 50 ft tall, 20 – 35 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy flowers bloom from April to May; inedible tiny, woody pomes mature in fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
11. Pawpaw – Asimina triloba – Native Tree
Pawpaw is a native fruit tree in Kentucky that produces the largest fruit native to the USA (excluding gourds). The fruit is a very large berry with large black seeds not usually eaten but also delicious creamy flesh that tastes like bananas.
These trees are found throughout most of KY in floodplains and shady, rich valley bottoms or lowlands in rich, loamy, moderately acidic soils. They can tolerate wet, clay soils as long as they are not permanently wet.
Pawpaws grow either vegetatively in dense thickets that may produce no fruits or as individual small trees where fruit production is more likely.
These trees are also beautiful flowering trees with unique burgundy flowers that are somewhat malodorous and use flies and other insects for pollination.
While Pawpaw trees will grow in full sun or partial shade in nature, they must be grown in full sun when grown for fruit production.
Other Common Names: Indian Banana, Paw Paw, Papaw, Paw-paw, Custard Apple, Wild Banana
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 15 – 30 ft tall, 15 – 30 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy flowers bloom from April to May; large edible fruits mature from late August to October, depending on the variety
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
12. Black Cherry – Prunus serotina – Native Tree
Black Cherry is a native Kentucky cherry tree found throughout most of the state, where it likes to grow in thickets in moist or dry open woods and riparian habitats, preferring cooler slopes out of the direct south-facing sun.
These trees are also often grown commercially for the landscaping industry for their fast growth (2 – 4 ft per year), fragrant white flowers that appear in large, showy clusters, and edible fruits that are sometimes eaten raw, made into preserves, or can be left on the tree for the wildlife who will enjoy the feast.
Black Cherry grows best in full sun or partial shade in any moist, well-drained, mildly acidic soil. A thick organic mulch around their roots will help keep them cool and moist if grown in full sun.
For more information, check out how to identify Black Cherry in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: Wild Black Cherry, Rum Cherry, Mountain Black Cherry
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 80 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: White flowers bloom in April or May; fruits ripen in August or early September
Available at: Nature Hills
13. Wild Plum – Prunus americana – Native Tree
Wild Plum is a widespread native tree in Kentucky, where it mostly grows as an understorey woodland tree but can also be found in shrub lands, riparian areas, and sometimes in open prairies.
These trees will grow in various soils, from dry and sandy to clay and poorly drained, and perform best in full sun for fruit production, although they can also tolerate partial shade quite well, although fruit production will be reduced.
Wild Plums have beautiful, fragrant white flowers in showy clusters that bloom just before the leaves emerge in spring.
The fruits are small, shiny, bright red plums that ripen in August or September. People sometimes eat them fresh or cook with them, but the wildlife will be very grateful for the tasty meal if the plums are left on the tree.
Other Common Names: American Plum, American Wild Plum
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 15 – 25 ft tall, 15 – 25 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: White flowers bloom from March to May; small edible plums mature from August to September
Available at: Nature Hills
14. Red Mulberry – Morus rubra – Native Tree
The Red Mulberry is a widespread native tree in Kentucky, found throughout the state, where it likes to grow on moist hillsides and riparian areas.
These moderately fast-growing trees grow best in full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soils that are mildly acidic to neutral. They will, however, tolerate other soils, including rocky, dry, wet, and alkaline soils, and tolerate shade, although fruit production would be reduced.
Red Mulberry is a medium-sized tree with simple, usually unlobed leaves with finely toothed margins, rough upper surfaces that feel like fine sandpaper, and downy soft undersides that are soft and felt-like to the touch. They also have inconspicuous yellowish flowers and delicious fruits that look like blackberries.
The White Mulberry (see below) is a non-native, highly invasive tree that looks very similar, but its leaves are half the size and are shiny and lustrous rather than rough or soft to the touch.
Other Common Names: Common Mulberry, White Mulberry
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers emerge mid-April to late June; fruits mature September through winter, depending on the variety
Available at: Nature Hills
15. White Mulberry – Morus alba – Common (& Invasive) Tree
The White Mulberry is an introduced Asian tree that is becoming increasingly common throughout Kentucky and the rest of the USA.
These trees typically invade old fields, empty lots, roadsides, forest edges, disturbed areas, floodplains, and riparian areas, preferring areas with access to water since White Mulberry is highly susceptible to drought.
White Mulberry appears very similar to the native Red Mulberry, often shares the same habitat, and is often confused with it. However, the Red Mulberry has larger leaves with felty-soft, dense, short hairs on the lower leaf surfaces, while the White Mulberry lacks this or only has hairs along the leaf veins. The berries of Red Mulberry also tend to be larger and darker in color.
Unfortunately, the two have been hybridizing in Kentucky, making differentiating them more difficult.
White Mulberry is considered highly invasive and is on the Global Invasive Species Database.
Other Common Names: Common Mulberry, Silkworm Mulberry
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 10
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread*
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers bloom from mid-April to mid-June; fruits mature from September to December
Available at: Nature Hills
16. Bitternut Hickory – Carya cordiformis – Native Tree
The Bitternut Hickory is a fast-growing hickory tree with big compound leaves that make great shade trees and, in the fall, turn brilliant shades of yellow and orange.
This widespread Kentucky native tree can be found growing in humus-rich soils in moist mountain valleys and riparian areas in well-drained to wet soils, but it can also be found in drier upland sites with poor soil.
Despite their preference for moist sites, the Bitternut Hickory is moderately drought-tolerant once established. And, despite their fast growth, they have very strong wood that stands up well to storm damage.
As the common name implies, the nuts are quite bitter and inedible to people. However, they are loved by countless wildlife species.
You can also learn how to identify the Bitternut Hickory in its native habitat.
The Shagbark Hickory is another common hickory in KY, often also grown ornamentally for its unique shaggy bark.
Other Common Names: Bitternut, Swamp Hickory
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 80 ft (to 150 ft) tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom in April or May; fruits mature from late summer to early fall every 3 – 5 years
Available at: Nature Hills
17. Black Walnut – Juglans nigra – Native Tree
Black Walnuts are native throughout most of Kentucky, growing in full sun in rich, fertile woods and hillsides with deep, well-drained soils.
These trees are intolerant of shade and secrete biochemicals that kill most other plants and trees growing next to them. This brilliant natural adaptation ensures the full sun and airflow they require to stay healthy.
Black Walnuts are often grown in residential yards and commercial and home nut orchards. These high-yielding nut trees are self-fertile, so it is possible to get nuts with only one tree for those short on space, although yields increase if a second tree is grown.
These trees are also popularly grown ornamentally in residential yards and parks for their dense canopies of rich compound leaves that make excellent summer shade trees.
Other Common Names: American Walnut, American Black Walnut, Eastern Black Walnut
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 70 – 100 ft (to 125 ft) tall, 60 – 80 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers emerge in drooping catkins from May to June; fruits mature from September to October
Available at: Nature Hills
18. Kentucky Coffeetree – Gymnocladus dioicus – Native Tree
The Kentucky Coffeetree is an uncommon eastern North American native tree that is relatively common throughout most of Kentucky, especially in the northeastern Bluegrass region.
These trees tend to grow best in rich, moist soils in riparian areas, ravines, and low mountain slopes. However, they are adaptable trees that will grow in other habitats and tolerate urban pollution, drought, and occasional flooding.
Unfortunately, this lovely tree is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of endangered species due to over-harvesting and habitat fragmentation in its native range.
Fortunately, Kentucky Coffeetree is a popular landscape tree often grown for its gorgeous compound leaves, fragrant (but not showy) flowers, and leguminous seed pods.
It gets its common name from the brown seeds in the pods that were roasted into a coffee-like drink by early settlers. These seeds are toxic if eaten raw, so they must be roasted before use.
Other Common Names: Kentucky Coffee Tree, American Coffee Berry, Kentucky Mahogany, Nicker Tree, Stump Tree
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 75 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 40 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small flowers bloom in late spring; legume fruits mature in fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
19. Kentucky Yellowwood – Cladrastis kentukea – Native Tree
Kentucky Yellowwood is an even rarer native eastern North American tree that is relatively common in Kentucky, where it is mostly found growing on limestone cliffs, slopes, ridges, and riparian areas in central and southern KY.
This tree produces copious fragrant white, pea-like flowers in long, drooping racemes followed by long, slender, leguminous seed pods every 2nd or 3rd year, with fewer flowers and fruits in the years between.
Kentucky Yellowwood is a medium-sized, often multi-trunked tree popular as a shade or accent tree, particularly for use on lawns. They are often grown for their gorgeous flowers, wildlife values, and their tolerance to urban conditions and different soil types, including both acidic and highly alkaline. Pink-flowered cultivars are also readily available.
Other Common Names: American Yellowwood, Virgilia, Gopher Wood, Yellow Ash, and the Latin names Cladrastis lutea, Cladrastis tinctoria
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 ft tall, 40 – 55 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers bloom in June; fruit pods mature later in summer
Available at: Nature Hills
20. Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia – Native Tree
Black Locust is a fast-growing native tree found throughout most of Kentucky in moist forests and wooded slopes, as well as disturbed areas, roadsides, and abandoned fields.
These trees grow best in full sun in any moist, well-drained soil, but they are highly adaptable trees that will tolerate drier soils and moderate drought but are intolerant of wet soils and shade.
Their ability to tolerate various conditions and invade disturbed areas sometimes has people concerned they can become invasive. However, Black Locust only invades disturbed sites and cannot become invasive long-term because they cannot tolerate competition with other trees.
Black Locust trees are often grown ornamentally for their adaptability, easy growing, and gorgeous white pea-like flowers that hang in drooping clusters in late spring. Since they are already widespread and native in KY, they can be grown without maintenance or water once established.
Other Common Names: Common Locust, False Acacia, Green Locust, Pea Flower Locust, White Locust, Yellow Locust
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 ft (to 80 ft) tall, 20 – 35 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy flowers bloom from late April to early June; legume seed pods mature from September to October and persist into winter
Available at: Nature Hills
21. Tree of Heaven – Ailanthus altissima – Common (& Invasive) Tree
The Tree of Heaven is a popular ornamental tree for its big, beautiful compound leaves and tolerance to various conditions.
These trees will grow almost anywhere in full sun to partial shade, preferring fertile, riparian areas, but are also found in forest edges, roadsides, railways, fencerows, and disturbed areas, and can even grow in polluted soils.
However, that great tolerance in a non-native tree has resulted in the Tree of Heaven becoming a widely introduced species in Kentucky. It has officially been listed as an invasive species in Kentucky.
Tree of Heaven is often mistaken for native Sumac because of its compound leaves. However, it has larger leaves (3 – 4 ft vs. 2 ft in Sumac) that are smooth rather than toothed and have an unpleasant odor. They also produce single-seeded, twisted samaras (winged fruits) instead of the reddish berry-like drupes seen in Sumac.
Other Common Names: Ailanthus, Varnish Tree, Copal Tree, Stinking Sumac, Chinese Sumac, Paradise Tree, Chouchun (Chinese)
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 35 – 50 ft (to 80 ft) spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small flowers bloom in large clusters from May to early June; clusters of single-seeded winged samaras mature in late summer to early fall
22. Silver Maple – Acer saccharinum – Native Tree
The Silver Maple is a gorgeous maple tree native throughout Kentucky, where it is found in woodlands, floodplains, and riparian areas, growing in deep, moist, acidic soil in full sun or partial shade; although they adapt well to other soils, moisture, and urban pollution.
These lovely trees were once widely planted as street trees, popular for their fast growth (3 – 7 ft per year) and their leaves with silver-white undersides that flash in the wind and turn pleasant shades of yellow and orange in the fall.
However, their shallow roots damage sidewalks, and their fast growth makes the wood brittle and prone to breakage during storms, so they are not widely planted like they used to be, but older trees can still be seen in parks and other areas where they have room to grow.
You can also learn how to identify Silver Maple in its native habitat.
Other Common Names: Creek Maple, Silverleaf Maple, Soft Maple, Water Maple, Swamp Maple, White Maple
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 80 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 35 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge before the leaves from March to April; samaras (winged seeds) mature around June
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
23. Red Maple – Acer rubrum – Native Tree
Red Maples are the most common individual tree species found throughout Kentucky’s forests, where they account for 12.2% of all trees.
These highly adaptable trees will grow in swamps and dry upland forests in various soil types, although they do best in moist, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade.
Red Maples are popular landscape trees for their moderately fast growth and their three seasons of color and interest. Especially in KY, since they are already so prolific, they will thrive with no maintenance once established.
Their small red flowers emerge in winter or early spring before anything else. In the summer, they have pretty pinkish to dark red samaras (winged seeds) and a rich canopy of green three-lobed leaves that provide great shade. Finally, in the fall, those leaves turn a vibrant shade of red.
For more information, check out how to identify Red Maple.
Other Common Names: Swamp Maple, Water Maple, Soft Maple
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8(9)
Average Size at Maturity: 75 – 100 ft (to 120) ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small reddish-pink flowers emerge before the leaves in March or sometimes February; samaras mature between April and June
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
24. Sweetgum – Liquidambar styraciflua – Native Tree
Sweetgum is a common native tree in Kentucky found throughout most of the state in wet soils in valley bottoms and swampy areas but also occasionally in drier upland forests at low elevations.
These trees grow best in full sun in deep, moist, fertile soils, but they can tolerate various soils, including dry but not alkaline soils. They have some moderate drought and salt tolerance but are prone to damage in wind storms.
Although unrelated, Sweetgum has large, glossy, maple-like leaves with five or seven pointy lobes. The lobes are all evenly saw-toothed on their margins, helping to set it apart from true maples. In the fall, the leaves provide a spectacular color display of bright red, purple, yellow, or orange.
Sweetgum is not often grown ornamentally because people find the fruits messy. However, they provide the perfect summer shade, fall color, and essential food for wildlife.
Other Common Names: Redgum, White Gum, American Sweetgum, Star-leaved Gum, Alligator Tree, Satin Walnut
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft (to 120 ft) tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous small flowers bloom from April to May; spiny capsular fruits mature from September to November
Available at: Nature Hills
25. American Sycamore – Platanus occidentalis – Native Tree
American Sycamore is another big, beautiful Kentucky native tree with beautiful maple-like leaves, but it is also not a maple. This one can easily be distinguished from all others with maple-like leaves by its distinctive bluish or greenish-gray bark mottled with brown and gray.
Their gorgeous maple-like leaves make great summer shade and turn a brilliant shade of yellow in the fall. After the lovely leaves are gone, the interesting bark still adds color and interest to the landscape all winter long.
American Sycamores are fast-growing trees (3 – 6 ft per year) found in every county in KY, growing in moist to wet, deep, rich soils in riparian areas, preferring neutral to moderately alkaline soils. However, these trees are highly adaptable, tolerating various soil types, wind, mild droughts, and urban pollution, making them a popular choice for streets and parks in urban areas.
Other Common Names: American planetree, Buttonwood, Buttonball, Eastern sycamore, Western plane, Occidental plane, Water beech
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 100 ft tall, 40 – 70 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Spherical flower heads emerge from April to May; spherical dry fruits ripen from September to October
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
26. White Oak – Quercus alba – Native Tree
White Oak is native all throughout Kentucky, where it’s a major component of forests by volume and plays a critical food and habitat role for local wildlife. In recent years, the regeneration of White Oaks has been declining in KY, but joint efforts are underway to slow or reverse that decline.
These trees grow naturally in sandy plains, gravelly ridges, and rich uplands, growing best in full sun in medium-moist, well-drained, acidic, loamy soils but also tolerating drier, shallower soils.
White Oaks are also planted often, popular in commercial landscaping for their big, spreading canopies of rounded-lobed leaves that make fantastic shade trees and turn a gorgeous deep crimson red in fall.
Their large acorns are loved by wildlife and are less bitter than most oak acorns, so people sometimes also eat them raw, boiled, dried, or ground into flour.
For more information, check out how to identify White Oak.
Other Common Names: American White Oak, Northern White Oak, Eastern White Oak, Forked-Leaf White Oak, Quebec Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 80 ft tall, 50 – 80 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers appear between April and May; acorns mature in late summer to early fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
27. Red Oak – Quercus rubra – Native Tree
Red Oak is the most common oak tree in Kentucky, where it grows in moist woods, valleys, north-facing mountain slopes, and drier upland locations.
These fast-growing trees (2 – 3 ft per year while young) are long-lived (to 500 years) and provide critical food and habitat for wildlife in the forests.
Red Oaks are also very popular landscape trees in KY thanks to their fast growth, easy transplanting, and low to no maintenance once established.
These trees have dense canopies of large, rich green, pointy-lobed leaves that make excellent fast-growing shade trees and provide beautiful red, reddish-orange, or reddish-brown fall color.
Red Oaks grow best in full sun in average, medium moist, moderately acidic soils. They are highly tolerant of urban conditions, winds, and moderate droughts.
You can also learn how to identify Red Oak in its natural environment.
Other Common Names: Common Red Oak, Eastern Red Oak, Mountain Red Oak, Gray Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 70 ft (to 90 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom from May to June; acorns mature from September to October
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
28. Bur Oak – Quercus macrocarpa – Native Tree
Bur Oak is another big, mighty oak native to the western ¾ of Kentucky found in full sun in open woods, riparian areas, and sandy or rocky ridges in acidic to alkaline, well-drained and dry to almost wet, but not permanently wet soils.
Bur Oaks have moderate drought tolerance once established and are more tolerant of urban conditions than many oaks, so they are becoming popular in landscaping.
These lovely oaks have big, spreading crowns that make fantastic shade trees and have interesting contorted branches. Their leaves are rounded-lobed like most of the White Oak Group, but their lobes are very deeply divided in the middle.
What’s best about Bur Oak, however, is that their huge acorns, with their attractive bur-like cupules, are so much sweeter than almost all other oaks and are popularly eaten fresh, roasted, or boiled.
You can also learn how to identify the Bur Oak.
Other Common Names: Burr Oak, Mossycup Oak, Prairie Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Blue Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft tall, 60 – 80 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom in April or May; acorns mature in October
Available at: Nature Hills
29. Pin Oak – Quercus palustris – Native Tree
Pin Oak is another fast-growing oak tree that is also a widespread native tree in Kentucky forests where they like to grow in full sun in mildly acidic, well-drained soils in moist valley bottoms or moist uplands. They will also grow in poorly drained soils and can even tolerate occasional flooding, but they will not tolerate alkaline soils.
These fast-growing (to 2 ft per year) shade trees are popular in landscaping for their classic but deeply lobed oak leaves that turn brilliant reds and oranges for a spectacular fall color display.
In KY, Pin Oaks are especially popular ornamental trees since they are already native and will grow anywhere with little to no maintenance once they are established.
For more information, check out how to identify Pin Oak in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: Swamp Oak, Water Oak, Swamp Spanish Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers (catkins) bloom in late April or early May; acorns mature between September and October
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
30. Shingle Oak – Quercus imbricaria – Native Tree
Shingle Oaks are native to most of Kentucky, excluding only the eastern edge, where they like to grow in rich woods, bottomlands, riparian areas, and drier upland slopes and forests.
These trees grow best in full sun or partial shade in moist, rich soil but tolerate alkaline, wet, dry, and moderately saline soils.
Shingle Oaks are large trees with broadly spreading crowns and atypical leaves for an oak that are more laurel-like, without any lobes, and have bright green upper surfaces and downy-hairy lower surfaces. Their leaves turn a vibrant red in the fall before turning brown and frequently remain on the tree all winter until spring.
Their small, rounded acorns turn a very dark brown when mature and look lovely on the trees in the fall until the birds get at them, and they all disappear. They are too small and bitter to be eaten by people.
Other Common Names: Jack Oak, Laurel Oak, Northern Laurel Oak, Small-Leaved Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 60 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 50 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge from April to June; acorns mature in the fall of the second year (two-year cycle)
Available at: Nature Hills
31. Eastern Red Cedar – Juniperus virginiana – Native Tree
Eastern Red Cedar is a common native evergreen tree in Kentucky where it can be found in oak forests, prairies, slopes, ridges, swamps, riparian areas, and abandoned fields.
These trees are widely grown ornamentally for their tolerance of poor, acidic, wet, alkaline, and dry soils, extreme cold hardiness, and tolerance to urban conditions. They are often used as hedges, borders, or specimen trees.
Their low water usage also makes Eastern Red Cedar a great xeriscape tree that could be grown anywhere in KY without irrigation once established.
Despite its common name, Eastern Red Cedar is actually a juniper tree, but it often grows with a single trunk into a medium-sized tree with scale-like leaves that look more like a false cedar than a juniper.
For more information, check out how to identify Eastern Red Cedar in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: Aromatic Cedar, Red Cedar, Virginian Juniper, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar, Carolina Cedar, Red Savin, Baton Rouge
USDA Growing Zones: 2 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 40 ft (to 65 ft) tall, 10 – 20 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Pollen cones on male trees mature in spring; female trees produce berry-like seed cones in late summer of the same year.
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
32. Eastern White Pine – Pinus strobus – Native Tree
Eastern White Pine is a gorgeous pine tree native mostly to the eastern half of Kentucky but also widely grown ornamentally throughout KY and in the Christmas tree industry because of their beautiful leaves and ability to tolerate pruning.
They prefer growing in cool, humid climates and can be found in dry, rocky ridges, sandy woodland, and well-drained soils surrounding bogs.
Eastern White Pines grow best in moist, acidic, well-drained soils but also tolerate poor, dry, rocky soils. Their preference for cool climates means that they will be found more often in partial shade on south-facing slopes, but otherwise, they are usually found in full sun.
Eastern White Pines have gorgeous, long, soft, pliable, rich green leaves with a conspicuous broad white stomatal band on their lower surface, giving them their common name.
You can also learn how to identify Eastern White Pine.
Other Common Names: White Pine, Northern White Pine, Soft Pine, Weymouth Pine
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 100 ft (to 230 ft) tall, 20 – 40 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Pollen is released in May and June; seed cones mature on the same trees the following summer (two-year cycle)
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
33. Virginia Pine – Pinus virginiana – Native Tree
Virginia Pine is a smaller pine tree that often has an irregular crown and a contorted or leaning trunk. It frequently grows in pure stands in poor soils of almost any type except for highly alkaline (> 8.0), where they provide important cover for wildlife.
They are often found on abandoned farms and old fields and are an aggressive colonizer of burned sites. Virginia Pine’s tolerance of disturbed habitats may indicate possible invasive potential. However, since they are a widespread KY native, found almost everywhere in the state except the extreme southwest corner, that is not a concern.
Their two strongly twisted needle-like leaves per group (fascicle) and their narrowly egg-shaped seed cones with strong purple-red or purple-brown borders on their scales will help differentiate them from the other native pines.
You can also learn how to identify Virginia Pine in its native habitat.
Other Common Names: Jersey Pine, Spruce Pine, Virginia Scrub Pine, Possum Pine
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 10 – 50 ft tall, 10 – 30 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Pollen is released from pollen cones from March to May; seed cones mature from September to November the following year (two-year cycle)
34. Eastern Hemlock – Tsuga canadensis – Native Tree
Eastern Hemlock is another Kentucky native evergreen, found in the eastern ¾ of the state, excluding much of the Bluegrass region, where they like to grow in cool, moist coniferous or mixed forests, often found on north-facing slopes.
In the northern part of its range, it often grows in full sun, but in KY, when not on a north-facing slope, it will most likely be found in partial shade and is one of few trees that will even grow well in full shade, albeit slowly.
This gorgeous hemlock tree has a pyramidal habit with delicate, feathery, needle-like leaves that all droop slightly, giving the entire tree a soft, slightly weeping look.
Their elegant, weeping crown makes them popular landscape trees, where they are often grown in cool depressions, ravines, or other shaded areas where trees are wanted.
You can also learn how to identify Eastern Hemlock.
Other Common Names: Canadian Hemlock, Eastern Hemlock-Spruce, pruche du Canada (French)
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 70 ft tall, 20 – 40 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Pollen is released from April to June; seed cones mature in September and release seeds in fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
35. American Holly – Ilex opaca – Native Tree
American Holly is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to most of Kentucky growing as an understorey tree in moist woods, swamp edges, and forested bottomlands in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soils.
This gorgeous tree has leathery leaves with long or short sharp points along its margins (spinose). It looks very similar to the often extremely invasive English Holly grown ornamentally and for making Christmas wreaths that have been widely escaping cultivation throughout North America. Why grow invasive species when you can grow native?
The female trees of American Holly produce bright red berries that contrast nicely with the shiny green spinose leaves and persist into winter, providing an important food source to local birds that do not migrate.
Even though it is typically an understorey tree, when grown in yards and parks, it can be grown in full sun, where berry production will be the highest on female trees.
Other Common Names: Holly, Inkberry, Oregon Holly, Winterberry, White Holly, Prickly Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 35 – 60 ft tall, 10 – 25 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Greenish to creamy white flowers bloom in May or June; red or orange berry-like drupes ripen on female trees in fall and persist through winter
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
Common and Native Trees Found in Kentucky
Kentucky is a rich and beautiful state with a great climate, fantastic soils, and lots of rich forests as well as moist lowlands, dry ridges, prairies, wetlands, and riparian areas, so it is no wonder there is a such a rich diversity of trees found there.
From deciduous to evergreen, flowering, nut or fruit-producing, small to massive, there is no end to the diversity of common and native trees you will find in the beautiful state of KY.
I hope you have enjoyed learning more about the gorgeous native and common trees in KY. Whether you live there or just like to visit, now you will be able to recognize some of those beautiful trees the next time you go out for a hike. Enjoy!
Related Articles:
- 8 Oak Trees to Grow in Kentucky (or Admire)
- 5 Palm Trees You Can Grow in Kentucky
- 5 Maple Trees You Can Grow Successfully in Kentucky
- 12 Fast-Growing Trees for Kentucky (Including Shade Trees)
