Native Trees For The State of Tennessee

Want to go native? Find the best selection of biological species for the Volunteer State of Tennessee 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!

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 Tennessee Native Trees

America at its best … Tennessee has summers that vary from warm to hot and humid, while winters are cool with occasional bouts of very cold arctic air. Including a wide range of plains and grasslands to Appalachian zones.

The Tulip Poplar Tree is the Tennessee State Tree and a type of Magnolia! Plus there are an incredible variety of other trees for your native landscape!

What Tree Grows Best in Tennessee?

Find your Hardiness Zone and then choose any tree that has a range that includes zones 5 to 8! 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 Tennessee!

Best Evergreen Trees For Tennessee

Check out these other Tennessee Native Evergreen Trees that keep their leaves year-round! These are favorites for both of the State birds - the Northern Mockingbird and the Northern Bobwhite.

• American Holly Bush/Tree
• Eastern Hemlock
• Eastern Red Cedar (Redcedar)
• Eastern White Pine
• Fraser Fir
• Loblolly Pine
• Possomhaw Holly

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in Tennessee

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, Ohio & Yellow
• Carolina Silverbell Tree
• Dogwood Trees - Pagoda, Roughleaf, Silky, Swamp, Red, Pink & White
• Eastern Redbud Trees
• Fringetree (Fringe Tree) & Grancy Greybeard Tree
• Magnolia - Bigleaf, Cucumber Tree, Sweet Bay & Southern
• Smoketree
• Tulip Tree (Tulip Poplar)
• Witchhazel Tree

What Are Native Shade Trees in Tennessee?

Tennessee has a moderate climate, cool, but not cold, winters and warm summers. So cool your yard and home with a shade tree! Plus you’ll need strong trees for the snow load in the winter.

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

Native Fruit & Nut Trees for Tennessee

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/Filbert Tree/Shrub
• Hickory Trees - Black, Bitternut, Butternut, Red, Shagbark, Shellbark & Pignut 
• Pawpaw Trees
• Hardy Pecan Trees
• American Persimmon Tree
• Red Mulberry Tree
• Serviceberry - Allegheny & Shadblow

Much Needed Natives!

Help keep your State's biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Whether you are adding shade or flowers, privacy, or a lasting legacy to your landscape, there is a native option here to help you find the perfect tree for your Tennessee 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!