Have you ever asked yourself what state has the most trees in the U.S.? National forests in the United States provide more than places to go camping and hike.5 They play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and defending local wildlife in North America.
And, if you guessed that Alaska answers the question, what state has the most trees…you’re right!
The United States National Forests improve air quality, lower temperatures, help maintain fresh water supplies, and in cities, the amount of tree cover per square mile can help filter out UV rays, reducing urban heat islands.
Almost every state in the U.S. has forests and the woods are places of safety, fun, and adventure, with miles of pathways perfect for group outings and family hikes.
This guide ranks all the states’ forest cover, as well as a number of interesting facts about the kinds of trees you can find in each state, and what state has the most trees.
What State Has the Most Trees per Square Mile?
Alaska is the state with the biggest land area in the United States and is home to some of the wildest and uninhabited regions of wildlife in all of North America.
If you are curious about what state has the most trees, Alaska has total forest land of around 91.8 million acres, making it the most forested state in the country.
What States Have the Most Trees?
Although all states have some trees, the following table shows the states in the US with the most trees.
| States With the Most Trees | Number of Trees |
| How many trees are in Alaska? | 31,750,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Texas? | 15,600,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Montana? | 6,375,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Georgia? | 6,200,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Colorado? | 6,100,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Alabama? | 5,700,000,000 |
| How many trees are in Washington? | 5,500,000,000 |
Most Forested States
Maine has the highest percentage of forest coverage at 89%, while Alaska is home to the biggest national park in the United States. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the biggest of the ten largest national park areas in the United States, and seven of the other five are located in the Last Frontier.
It’s true that Maine has more trees than any other place, but several of the lower-ranked states, like California, are determined on forest preservation. Other states following Maine Closely Include;
New Hampshire
84.3 percent of New Hampshire is covered in forest (4.8 million acres). The state is dotted with rural communities linked by wide swaths of wilderness. The White Mountain National Forest is home to a large population of moose and black bears, and the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the state, is a good place for many hikers.
West Virginia
Forests cover 79% of West Virginia (12.2 million acres). The Appalachian State of North Carolina has earned the moniker “Mountain State” with good reason. It is home to six national parks and thirty-seven state parks.
The place is home to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, which reach north into Canada and are traversed by the historic Appalachian Trail.
Vermont
In Vermont, trees make up 77.8 percent of the state’s complete area (4.6 million acres). Despite being the second least populous state, Vermont is home to two national parks and millions of acres of forest, including several species of hardwoods and conifers. The Green Mountains cover north to south along the state’s center, Lake Champlain on the West, and Connecticut River Valley on the east.
Alabama
The Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee national forests are all found in Alabama. It’s possible to see white-tailed deer and endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers among the Conecuh’s many other animal sightings. There are more than 342 trails, so hikers may go anywhere their hearts want.
South Carolina
The percentage of the state covered with trees is 68% (13.1 million acres).3 From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the West to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, South Carolina is home to more than 80,000 acres of preserved place. Approximately 1.2 million people visit Hunting Island State Park every year, making it the most visited park in the state.
Georgia
The coverage of forests in the state is 67.3 (24.8 million acres). Georgia is home to seven different state-run woodlands. For example, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest spans 26 counties and has about 867,000 acres and roughly 850 miles of recreation walkways.
Mississippi
Woodlands comprise 65.1% of the state’s total area (19.5 million acres). There are over twenty state parks in Mississippi. Paul B. Johnson State Park is a beautiful natural place full of longleaf and loblolly pines, dogwoods, and oak trees, and it is located in the state’s pine belt region.
What State Has the Most Pine Trees?
Maine is mostly called The Pine Tree State because of its abundance of pine trees. Nearly 90% of Maine is covered in forest. The United States Department of Agriculture puts the figure as 89.1 percent.
(Image: Leonid Danilov7)
In a state that is just slightly less than 21.3 square miles, it amounts to 17.6 million acres of forest. A picture of Maine is incomplete without seeing its big forest cover.
What State Has the Most Christmas Trees?
It is not even a tight contest for Oregon to claim the title of the state that produces the most Christmas trees. Oregon leads North Carolina, the state that ranks second, with a margin of more than 2 million trees. An estimated annual income of more than $84.5 million is generated by the sale of Christmas trees in Oregon, of which 92% are exported outside the state.
What State Has the Most Trees per Mile?
About 17.7 million acres of land in Maine are covered in forestland, making it the largest forested state in the contiguous United States. Around 89.5% of the state is covered with forests with many trees per square mile. The region gives tourists many places to explore, particularly since the State of Maine has 158 miles worth of hiking routes.
What State Has the Most Palm Trees?
Forty different palm trees are native to the United States, including Hawaii, an island. In terms of the number of palm trees found in a single state, Florida comes in first place. It surpasses every other state, even Hawaii, which is a surprising goal based on the topic of discussion.
What State Has the Most Species of Trees? (States With Most Trees)
Research by the United States Forest Service found that the United States is home to more than 640 distinct species of trees, with 186 of them being indigenous to the country. The southern region of the United States has the most significant number of different species of trees. The states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida are home to the greatest variety of tree species.
However, the most diverse tree community may be found in Liberty County, Florida, which is home to 138 different tree species.
What State Has the Most Oak Trees?
An oak tree is a frequent sight in every American neighborhood.1 Native to at least some regions of the United States, including the eastern half and certain regions of the southwestern coast, are at least 58 different species. A total of three states do not have any natural species of the oak tree.
(Image: USA-Reiseblogger8)
None can survive in Alaska because of the extreme cold, Hawaii is too far from other species to support any, and Idaho is too arid and frigid to support any. Moreover, half of the United States oak species are located in Texas (for the reason that it contains oak trees native to both the humid Southeast and the dry Southwest).
Largest Urban Forest in the US
It’s no secret that Dallas is home to many gorgeous parks, but this woodland on the outskirts of the metropolis has maintained somewhat under the radar. The city of Dallas owns all 6,000 acres of Great Trinity Forest, making it the largest urban forest in North America. Given its size, the likelihood of encountering another person is low, but you can rest assured that you will enjoy breathtaking, unobstructed views in every direction.
Related Reading: City With Most Trees: Top 30 Cities by Forest Cover (View Map)
There are both man-made and unmarked paths through the woods. There’s no way to avoid having the Dallas skyline as a background, no matter what you do. The mostly glass Audubon Center is well worth a visit.
There, you may learn about the forest without ever losing sight of the breathtaking beauty outside. More minor routes radiate out from the center, making for a short and simple hike.
States With Forests and Mountains (Which States Have Forests?)
For a good cause, discussions often turn to the state’s good preserves of natural beauty, its national parks, and wilderness regions. However, the national forests and mountains should never be ignored. Not only do these locations play an important part in maintaining a balanced ecology for people and animals, but they are some of the most visually appealing and popular wilderness areas on the planet.
Here are the states that have the best forests and mountains:
Alaska
Tongass National Forest has an area of 16.5 million acres, which is larger than the State of North Carolina by more than 6.5 million acres. The forest is well-known for its vast stands of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and cedar; yet, its varied geology and climate provide room for impressive ice fields and glaciers. Their size and age make them exceptional in their own right, with some trees being over 800 years old.
Wilderness areas make up more than a third of Tongass National Forest, providing shelter for many species like brown and black bears.
New Hampshire
In the White Mountain National Forest, which spans over 800,000 acres and includes the Presidential Mountain Range, you’ll find some of the wildest and most stunning landscapes in the Northeast.
Mount Washington, which stands at a lofty 6,288 feet, is a popular tourist attraction and a formidable obstacle for adventurous hikers since it has long been known as the site of the “world’s worst weather.”
Despite the harsh climate, White Mountain National Forest has a beautiful woodland environment, with maple, oak, hemlock, pine, and birch predominating at lower altitudes and spruce and fir dominating at higher altitudes.
Minnesota
Superior National Forest is one of the most cherished stretches of public property in the United States, a mecca for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and skiing. Ancient glaciers formed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness along the border with Canada. It creates a 1,000,000-acre beauty of cliffs, crags, and gentle slopes interspersed with lakes of varying sizes.
This lush forest is characterized by pine, fir, and spruce stands.
California
The Sierra Nevada is a wild emblem of America, spanning hundreds of miles over California and Nevada, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, as well as the tall Mount Whitney.
Sierra National Forest may get less attention than its more famous siblings in the area, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. The location is a tranquil escape from the bustle of adjacent cities because of the towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes found there.
Most Common Tree in Each State
Each State in the United States supports a certain type of tree depending on the soil and climate.6 Here is a list:
| State | Most Common Tree |
| Alabama | Longleaf Pine |
| Alaska | Sitka Spruce |
| Arizona | Blue Palo Verde |
| Arkansas | Maple-Leaved Oak |
| California | Coast Redwood |
| Colorado | Colorado Blue Spruce |
| Connecticut | Black Ash |
| Delaware | Seaside Alder |
| Florida | Florida Torreya |
| Georgia | Georgia Oak |
(Image: Bill Lea9)
| State | Most Common Tree |
| Hawaii | Koia’a |
| Idaho | Whitebark Pine |
| Illinois | White Oak |
| Indiana | Tulip Tree |
| Iowa | Canada Plum |
| Kansas | Pawpaw Tree |
| Kentucky | Butternut Tree |
| Lousiana | Arkansas Oak |
| Maine | American Ginseng |
| Maryland | Northern Red Oak |
| Massachusetts | American Elm |
(Image: Msact at English Wikipedia10)
| State | Most Common Tree |
| Michigan | Pumpkin Ash |
| Minnesota | Red Pine |
| Mississippi | Southern Magnolia |
| Missouri | Flowering Dogwood |
| Montana | Ponderosa Pine |
| Nebraska | Eastern Cottonwood |
| Nevada | Great Basin Bristlecone Pine |
| New Hampshire | Paper Birch |
| New Jersey | Pitch Pine |
| New Mexico | Two-Needle Pinon Pine |
(Image: Wing-Chi Poon11)
| State | Most Common Tree |
| New York | Sugar Maple |
| North Carolina | Bald Cypress |
| North Dakota | White Ash |
| Ohio | Ohio Buckeye |
| Oklahoma | Eastern Redbud |
| Oregon | Port Orford Cedar |
| Pennsylvania | Eastern Hemlock |
| Rhode Island | Red Maple |
| South Carolina | Sabal Palmetto |
| South Dakota | White Spruce |
(Image: Père Igor12)
| State | Most Common Tree |
| Tennessee | Fraser Fir |
| Texas | Texas Redbud |
| Utah | Quaking Aspen |
| Vermont | Green Ash |
| Virginia | Virginia Round-Leaf Birch |
| Washington | Western Hemlock |
| West Virginia | Blue Ash |
| Wisconsin | Northern White Cedar |
| Wyoming | The Plains Cottonwood |
(Image: Scott Catron13)
Which State Has the Most Oak Trees?
Due to its diversity, Texas is home to more than half of the United States oak species, including those that thrive in both the wet Southeast and the arid Southwest.
Interestingly, there are hundreds of species of oak tree.
Most Common Tree in the World
On Earth, trees are commonplace. Many centuries have passed since their debut. There are now more than 3 trillion different species of trees on Earth, all of which serve an important part in human life and provide us with opportunities to appreciate them.
Here are the most common trees in the world:
Oak Trees
More than 300 kinds of oak trees are recognized around the globe. Over 90 species may be found in the United States. The wood they provide is very sturdy and resistant to decay and pests.
White oaks are large trees with broad leaves and a tasty acorn crop that matures after a year.
Pine Trees
Big, evergreen, coniferous pine trees stand out in any forest. Pine trees may be either soft or hard, based on the maturity of the cone they produce. Depending on the type, pine trees may reach up to 81 meters.
Pine trees’ needle-like green leaves grow in groups. The White Pine and Red Pine are two of the world’s most widely distributed pine tree species, but cypress trees abound as well.
Fir
There are around 50 distinct species of the evergreen, coniferous Fir tree. Cones of different colors appear as it matures, including green, purple, and blue. As the tree ages, these cones develop a warm brown color.
Needles on fir trees are distributed more closely together, giving the tree a fuller, greener look. The two white stripes at the base of the needles are a defining feature of this species.
Tulip
Tulip trees are beautiful softwood trees with vibrant yellow or orange flowers. This is why its primary function is for decoration rather than structural support. The bark of this tree is brown or ashy gray and becomes darker as the tree ages in wet environments.
A tulip has almost square leaves with four to six lobes.
Butternut Tree
North American native Butternut trees are slow-growing deciduous trees. Small green balls, and delicious nuts, grow in clusters amid the leaves and are a sure way to spot this plant. The Butternut tree thrives in wet environments; its bark is initially a pale gray but becomes coarser with time.
Large, pointed leaves emerge straight from the branches.
How Many Species of Trees Are There in the World?
There are 73,000 tree species worldwide, of which 9,000 have yet to be identified. Forty percent of all tree species yet to be identified are found in South America.
Common Forest Trees
So many of our good memories include either nature or the trees in our surroundings, whether it be enjoying a fantastic bite to eat during the summer heat or climbing to the topmost branch of a tree.
(Image: Rachel Claire14)
It is difficult to envision what our world would be like if it did not have the wide forests preserved and protected in parks and preserves, or even the modest woodlots or solitary trees, we have in our backyards. Here are the most common forest trees in the United States:2
American Elm
Even if the Dutch elm disease has negatively influenced its population, the American elm may still be seen with its towering, arching branches that provide a shaded area to escape the intense heat of the summer sun.
This tree is easily distinguished by its silvery-gray, deeply furrowed bark and its elliptical, green leaves with toothy edges. These leaves change color in the autumn to a yellowish-brown that isn’t nearly as appealing as the fall foliage of other species, such as the sugar maple.
Elms that have reached their full maturity may be an important source of habitat for eagles, ospreys, barred owls, and many other songbirds and animals that nest there, such as roosting bats and flying squirrels.
Aspen (Quaking)
The flattened petioles of quaking aspen leaves cause the leaves to tremble in the wind, thus the common name. Although aspens do generate seeds, very few of those seeds germinate and form new plants. Typically, aspen will spread by root shoots, and large clonal colonies will form.
It’s a strikingly gorgeous Autumn tree that serves as a cornerstone hardwood in several western American states.
Beech (American)
The American beech is a species that prefers the shade over other trees and is, therefore, most often found in climax forests. American beech wood is heavy, hard, durable, and sturdy, yet the tree is seldom harvested for its timber because of this. The upshot is that large stands of ancient beeches persist in numerous places even now.
Birch (Paper)
After a forest fire or other disturbance, paper birch is one of the first plants to return and establish itself. It requires plenty of sunshine and nutrient-rich soil. A minimal effect from the elements is felt on the bark.
(Image: Plant Image Library15)
Most of the time, the hollow bark of a paper birch will remain after the wood has rotted away.
Moose rely on this readily identified and peeling birch bark, despite its low nutritional composition, as the main food source during the winter. The bark is significant to moose throughout the winter because of how much there is of it.
Elm Rock
The rock elm is a deciduous tree found naturally in the Midwest and changes zones between grassland and forest. Most elms can’t compare to the density and hardness of this wood. Shipbuilding, furniture, agricultural implements, and musical instruments are just some of the many applications made possible by the material’s extreme durability and ability to hold a high polish.
North American Trees
The continent of North America covers a total geographical area of nearly 25 million square kilometers. The region is home to an incredibly varied collection of landforms, topographies, geographies, and climates. Many different things may be accomplished with the help of trees in North America.
Trees are used for various items from timber and paper goods to garments and even covering the fallen leaves on the ground below. About 600 trees are native to North America, although not all can be found in every location.
Although there are hundreds of different kinds of trees in North America, we will look at some of the most common ones so you will know what to expect when you go camping or take a walk along a street lined with trees. When looking at popular softwoods, you will discover a wide range of trees that are often referred to as “evergreens” but are different species of pines, firs, spruces, and larch trees.
These are the classic “Christmas Trees” since they have needles and cones and are fashioned mostly like a pyramid. They are found all over the United States and Canada. The “coniferous” or tree species that bears cones make up the vast bulk of Canada’s tree population. Spruce trees make up more than half of the total tree population in Canada.
(Image: Romain Le Teuff16)
The woodlands of the United States are somewhat varied in diversity and dispersal. They range from the oak-hickory and maple-beech-birch forests that predominate the Northeastern regions to the wide stretches of pine forests in the Southern states and the mainly pine-laden forests of the Western states, which are loaded with Douglas firs and ponderosa pines among other species of trees and plants. This diversity can be seen across the country.
Oaks, maples, hickories, beeches, birches, and ash trees are hardwood trees most likely to be found in their natural habitats. Oaks, hickories, and other hardwood trees are more prevalent in the eastern half of the United States, while the western half of the country has a smaller percentage of land covered in hardwood forests.
Why Is Maine Called the Pine Tree State?
The people of Maine often refer to their home state by this moniker because of all the pine trees that have populated the state. Some of the tallest trees in eastern North America were discovered in the regions where the White Pine is often regarded as the biggest conifer in the region.
Throughout Maine’s history, the White Pine has stood as a state symbol;4 thus, it is only fitting to get due respect. White Pines from the State were much sought after for use as ship masts during the early colonial era. In 1895, the White Pine Cone and Tassel became Maine’s official floral symbol.
Evergreen Trees Map: State With Most Forest (Which State Has the Most Forest?)
What state has the most trees? Each of the fifty U.S states has its unique scenery. Differences in forest cover and density may be seen from Alaska to Arizona and New Jersey to Maryland.
With 127 million wooded acres, Alaska has more forest area than any other state. Compared to Texas, which only has 62.4 million wooded acres, this is more than twice the size
What State Has the Most Trees in the United States?
Wondering what state has the most trees? With 31.7 million trees, Alaska easily takes the crown as the state with the most trees. Furthermore, since the state’s population is so low compared to the rest of the country, Alaska has 43,401 trees for every person.
Alaska is the wildest of the states, and there are no signs of it being surpassed this century. The state has 120 personal state sections and three state forests.
Related Reading: How Many Trees Are in the United States? 6 Shocking Stats
What State Has the Least Trees?
When comparing states, Maine has the highest percentage of tree cover 89%, followed by New Hampshire, 83%, and Vermont, 82%. On the other side, North Dakota comes in at the lowest at 3%. Nebraska has the second-lowest tree cover at 4%, followed by South Dakota at 5%.
Knowing which state has the most trees can help you identify the areas in the country that need to be protected.
Read More About What State Has the Most Trees
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How Many Trees Are in the United States? 6 Shocking Stats
References
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2NC State University. (2012). Common Forest Trees of North Carolina. N.C. Cooperative Extension. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from <https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/CommonForestTrees2012.pdf?fwd=no>
3New York State. (2022). Forests. Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from <https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/309.html>
4State Tree – White Pine. (2022). Maine.gov. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from <https://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/about/symbols/tree>
5United States Government. (2016, September 4). State of Forests and Forestry in the United States. Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from <https://www.fs.usda.gov/speeches/state-forests-and-forestry-united-states-1>
6University System of Maryland. (2022). Maryland Trees Collection. Towson University. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from <https://www.towson.edu/campus/landmarks/glen/trees.html>
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