North Carolina Native Plants

View as

Go native? Find the best selection of biological species for the State of North Carolina right here at Nature Hills Nursery! Native trees are better able to cope with the local environmental conditions of an area and typically require less attention than non-natives and hybrids! They establish faster and thrive in the Tar Heel State! 

Choosing indigenous trees for your State means you will know your tree will happily grow for you with few issues! Growing best in that particular 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 North Carolina Native Trees

North Carolina is USDA growing zones 5 to 8b. Find your Hardiness Zone and then choose any tree that has a range that includes those zones from the warm coastline to the cooler Appalachians.

What Tree Grows Best in North Carolina?

Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed. While many of these trees are native to much of the Eastern US, these are some of the most signature trees you will find growing in North Carolina!

Best Evergreen Trees For North Carolina

Eastern Red Cedar

Check out these other North Carolina Native Broadleaf and Coniferous Evergreen Trees that keep their leaves year-round! The State Tree is the Pine, which is the favorite nesting and food resource for the North Carolina state bird - the Northern Cardinal.

  • American Holly Bush/Tree
  • Eastern Hemlock
  • Eastern Red Cedar (Redcedar)
  • Eastern White Pine
  • Frasier Fir
  • Loblolly Pine
  • Longleaf Pine
  • Possomhaw Holly
  • Red Pine Tree
  • Red Spruce
  • Wax Myrtle

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in North Carolina

You will find many flowering and fragrant trees to perfume your yard, and feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State! Plus these serve as larval Host Plants for native butterflies.

  • American Hornbeam
  • American Hop Hornbeam
  • Blacklocust (Black Locust) Tree
  • Buckeye Trees - Red & Yellow
  • Carolina Silverberry
  • Dogwood Trees - Pagoda, Silky, Swamp, Gray, Red, Pink & White
  • Eastern Redbud Trees
  • Fringetree (Fringe Tree) & Grancy Greybeard Tree
  • Magnolia - Bigleaf, Cucumber Tree, Southern & Sweet Bay
  • Pussy Willow
  • Tulip Tree (Tulip Poplar)
  • Witch Hazel/Witchhazel Tree

What Are Native Shade Trees in North Carolina?

North Carolina Native Trees Infographic

There are an incredible variety of hardwood deciduous trees for your native landscape! North Carolina is considered a humid subtropical climate with some snow and chill in the winters. Especially on the coast, you and your home will need a good shade tree!

  • American Beech Tree
  • American Basswood (Linden)
  • American Chestnut Tree
  • American Elm Trees
  • American Sycamore
  • Black Gum Tree
  • Bald Cypress Trees
  • Sweet & River Birch Trees
  • Black Willow Tree
  • Box Elder (Boxelder) Tree
  • Catalpa/Northern Catalpa Tree
  • Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
  • Hackberry Tree/Sugarberry Tree
  • Kentucky Coffee Tree
  • Maple Trees - Black, Red, Silver & Sugar 
  • Oak Trees - Black, Blackjack, Cherrybark, Chestnut, Chinquapin, Live, Pin, Overcup, Northern Red, Scarlet, Shingle, Shumard’s, White & Willow 
  • Quaking Aspen
  • Sassafras Tree
  • Sourwood Trees
  • Sweetgum Tree
  • Washington Hawthorn
  • Yellowwood Tree

Native Fruit & Nut Trees for North Carolina

We love edible landscaping trees that look great and feed you too! Plus these and many of the trees above are wildlife trees that many creatures depend on for food.

  • American/Wild Plum & Chickasaw Plum
  • Black Cherry Tree
  • Black Walnut Tree
  • Hazelnut/American Filbert 
  • Hickory Trees - Bitternut, Butternut, Red, Shagbark, Shellbark & Pignut 
  • Pawpaw Trees
  • American Persimmon Tree
  • Red Mulberry Tree
  • Serviceberry - Allegheny, Downy & Shadblow

Much Needed Natives!

Help keep your State's subtropical biodiversity intact by planting trees that are native to your region! Add shade or flowers, specimens, privacy, or a legacy to your landscape, Nature Hills has a native option to help you find the perfect tree for your North Carolina landscape!


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 local ecology!

Shop North Carolina Native Trees

FAQS for Buying North Carolina Native Plants Online

What Are the Best Native Trees to Plant in North Carolina?

North Carolina is home to a wide range of native trees that thrive across zones 5 to 8b. From the salt-kissed shores to the misty Blue Ridge Mountains, trees like the Eastern Red Cedar, Sweet Bay Magnolia, and American Beech are well-suited to the state’s varied climate. These trees know the land, support native wildlife, and bring seasonal beauty to every corner of your yard.

Why Should I Choose Native Trees for My North Carolina Landscape?

Native trees are naturally adapted to North Carolina’s humid subtropical climate, meaning they grow faster, need less water once established, and handle local pests and diseases with ease. Trees like the Loblolly Pine, Dogwood, and American Persimmon provide pollen and nectar for local pollinators, food for songbirds, and shelter for everything from butterflies to owls. Planting native helps keep North Carolina’s unique ecosystems strong and resilient.

What Evergreen Trees Stay Green Year-Round in North Carolina?

If you are looking for evergreen privacy, wind protection, or just some green through winter, native options like Eastern White Pine, Frasier Fir, and Wax Myrtle deliver. These evergreens keep their foliage all year, making them ideal for screening, wildlife shelter, and adding structure to your garden even when deciduous trees have dropped their leaves.

Which Native Flowering Trees Should I Grow in North Carolina?

Flowering natives add beauty, fragrance, and pollinator power to your yard. Try Eastern Redbud, Carolina Silverberry, or Fringetree to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. These trees are not just pretty—they are important host plants for native insects and provide early-season nectar that supports the entire local food web.

Can I Grow Fruit or Nut Trees Native to North Carolina?

Absolutely. North Carolina’s native fruit and nut trees like American Plum, Hazelnut, Pawpaw, and Black Walnut are as practical as they are beautiful. These trees offer food for your table and for local wildlife while blending perfectly into native and edible landscapes. Many also feature stunning spring blooms and rich fall color, making them four-season superstars.

Back to top

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Error, Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden’s USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.

{"statementLink":"","footerHtml":"","hideMobile":false,"hideTrigger":false,"disableBgProcess":false,"language":"en","position":"left","leadColor":"#146ff8","triggerColor":"#146ff8","triggerRadius":"50%","triggerPositionX":"right","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerIcon":"people","triggerSize":"medium","triggerOffsetX":20,"triggerOffsetY":20,"mobile":{"triggerSize":"small","triggerPositionX":"right","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerOffsetX":10,"triggerOffsetY":10,"triggerRadius":"50%"}}