Arkansas Native Plants

Native Trees For The State of Arkansas

Want to go native? Find the best selection of biological species for the State of Arkansas here at Nature Hills Nursery! In the capitol of Little Rock, and everywhere in between Bentonville to El Dorado, there are many native trees in Arkansas!

Choosing indigenous trees for your State means you will know your tree will happily grow for you with few issues and are well suited for Arkansas climate and soils because they originated there! They establish faster and thrive! Tolerating local growing zones, climate, weather, and anything else your State can throw at them! Plus you’ll feed pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife by providing them with a tree they recognize!

Best Arkansas Native Trees

Arkansas has a wide variety of topography, including upland areas, acidic sandstone soil, dense forests and open woodlands, and swampy/riparian areas, from the Ozarks to the Ouachita Mountains and Arkansas Valley! Arkansas soil varies between heavy clay soil to silt in the Delta.

Arkansas has a wide range of USDA planting zones ranging from 6 to 8 and you can find your Hardiness Zone and then choose any tree that has a range that includes yours! Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed.

The Loblolly Pine Tree is the Arkansas State Tree, and there are many of these trees that are native to much of the US, these are among the 100 different species that are the most signature trees you will find growing in Arkansas! Oaks are the predominant species you’ll find in this State, so the Overcup Oak Tree is a great option for wildlife and shade!

Best Evergreen Trees For Arkansas

These Arkansas Native Evergreen Trees keep their leaves year-round.

• Short-Leaf Pine
• Loblolly Pine
• American Holly Bush/Tree
• Eastern Hemlock Tree
• Eastern Red Cedar (Redcedar)
• Eastern White Pine
• Possomhaw Holly
• Yaupon Holly

Native  Flowering Trees to Grow in Arkansas

Feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State!

• Black Cherry Tree
• Black Gum Trees (aka: Black Tupelo Tree)
• Blacklocust Tree
• Dogwood Trees - Pagoda, Swamp, Roughleaf, Red, White, and Silky
• Native Fringetree (Fringe Tree)
• Eastern Redbud Trees
• Native Smoketree
• Native Carolina Silverbell Tree
• Native Tulip Tree (Tulip Poplar)
• Native Yellowwood Tree
• Winged Sumac

What Are Native Shade Trees in Arkansas?

Arkansas can have some warm summer temperatures but snow in the winter, so a shade tree helps beat cooling costs and gives your backyard lush relief from the sun!

• Bald Cypress Tree - great in swampy areas and moist soil!
• Black Willow Tree
• Box Elder Tree
• American Basswood (Linden)
• American Elm Tree
• Northern Catalpa
• Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
• Kentucky Coffee Tree (Coffee Tree)
• Hackberry Tree
• American Hornbeam
• Oak Trees - Southern Live, Red, Chinquapin, Sawtooth, Shumard, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Nuttall, Blackjack, Overcup, White, Willow Oak & Bur
• Magnolia including - Southern, Cucumber Tree, & Sweet Bay
• Native Sweet Birch and River Birch
• Native Common Witchhazel
• American Hop Hornbeam (Hophornbeam)
• Red Buckeye, Ohio Buckeye, Yellow & Bottlebrush Buckeye Trees
• Red Maple & Black Maple Trees
• Sassafras Trees 
• Silver Maple Trees
• Sugar Maple Trees
• American Sycamore
• Native American Sweetgum Trees
• Native Washington Hawthorn
• Sourwood Trees

Native Fruit & Nut Trees in Arkansas

We love edible landscaping trees that look great and feed you! Feed wildlife and songbirds as well!

• American Black Walnut Tree
• Black Hickory, Bitternut Hickory, Shagbark, Shellbark & Pignut Hickory Trees
• American Beech Tree
• American Chestnut Tree
• Pawpaw Trees
• American Persimmon Tree
• Red Mulberry Tree
• Native Alabama Serviceberry, Allegheny, Downy Serviceberry & Shadblow Serviceberry
• Hazelnut Tree/Shrub

Much Needed Natives!

Whether you are adding shade or flowers, privacy, or a long-lasting legacy to your landscape, Nature Hills is here to help you find the perfect tree for your Arkansas garden!

Help keep your State's native biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Nature Hills is committed to helping you preserve your State’s unique beauty with plants and trees that are sure to do well in your garden without impacting your native flora and fauna!