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Brooke Bundy - Last updated:
Louisiana’s sub-tropical climate means hot, humid temperatures, and the trees weather hurricanes and other natural disasters. The dense, sandy soil chokes out some weaker plants, and the swampy land often gets boggy, which can cause root rot. Some common trees, such as deciduous hardwood trees, can’t tolerate such an environment.
Louisiana is home to majestic trees such as the Bald Cypress, which is often veiled with Spanish moss like a cajun queen. The state supports an ecosystem unique to the Southern United States while sharing some plants in common with the rest of the country.
The 8 Types of Trees in Louisiana – What grows in the Bayou State?
1. Bald Cypress
- Taxodium distichum
- Deciduous
- Coniferous
The Bald Cypress was named the state tree in 1963 because of its connotation with the bayou. Its leaves are thin, green, and feathery, resembling needles on a Christmas tree but more delicate. The notorious Cypress “knees” are scattered along the tree’s base and are often carved into sculptures by folk artists. The tree has reddish-brown bark and grows small cones on the ends of its branches. The Bald Cypress is one of the only deciduous conifers, meaning it sheds its leaves each year and grows cones instead of acorns or seeds to reproduce. Its flexible, soft wood has been used for over a hundred years for interior and exterior paneling and is durable against the weather.
2. Southern Magnolia
- Magnolia grandiflora
- Evergreen
- Broad-leaf
You’ll mostly find this southern belle flourishing along the flood plains, blossoming quietly in the country on ancient plantation grounds, or chosen for decoration in city parks. The Southern Magnolia is the state flower—even though it comes from a tree. Its white flowers bloom mostly from April to November. Even in the wintertime, the Magnolia retains its enormous evergreen leaves that provide subtle color with a shiny green top and dull brown bottom. Although this tree is considered a broad-leaf instead of a conifer, its seeds come from cone-like “fruit” grown in the fall. If you find a sprawling magnolia with shoots of its own, you’ve probably stumbled upon a tree that’s weathered over one hundred years of storms. It’s no wonder the magnolia has a reputation for being a tough Southern lady.
3. Crape Myrtle
- Lythraceae
- Deciduous
- Grown from propagation or seed
Although the crape myrtle is native to China, Korea, and parts of northeast India, it’s found a favorable environment here in Louisiana. This shrubby tree thrives in hot climates and does well, whether it’s in a drought or a flood, as long as it’s in well-draining soil. Its tiny clustering flowers bloom pink, purple, white, lavender, or red from June to September. You can grow a crape myrtle from seeds or cuttings, but you’ll need to prune it every winter so it will blossom again during the next blooming season.
4. Water Oak
- Quercus nigra
- Deciduous
- Grown from acorns
We could write an entire article on the different types of Oaks that live in Louisiana, but we wanted to focus on this one because it’s local. The Water Oak is native to the Southeastern Coastal Plains and thrives in the Bayou State, although it doesn’t tend to live as long as other species such as the Live Oak.
Because Louisiana has a sub-tropical climate, some Oak trees can actually act as semi-evergreen trees, but the blue-green leaves of the Water Oak species typically turn yellow in the autumn and gradually fall during the winter. The Water Oak grows quickly, gaining two feet per year, but usually only lives around 80 years.
5. American Elm
- Ulmus americana
- Deciduous
- Grown from propagation or seed
Also known as the White Elm, you can find the American Elm anywhere in Louisiana. This tree welcomes spring with its tiny drooping clusters of red flowers with white-black stamens. It’s the first tree to bloom in the new year, although the subsequent frosts often kill the flowers and the non-edible fruit. The green, oval leaves are usually 4–6 inches long by 2 to 3 inches wide with serrated edges. Although its wood is considered weaker than some other hardwood trees, it bends well and is commonly used to build wooden crates.
6. Sugar Maple
- Acer saccharophorum
- Deciduous
- Grown from propagation or seeds
This tree originated in the northern states but has made its way down to Louisiana and can be found state-wide. You can harvest maple syrup from this tree and use it for fried chicken and waffles, a breakfast staple in the south. Its distinct, five-lobed leaves change colors from dark green to an autumnal trio of red, golden, and light green right before they drop. The Sugar Maple is a medium-sized tree that typically doesn’t grow above 120 ft. and is often cultivated as part of the landscape in parks and housing complexes.
7. American Holly
- Ilex opaca
- Evergreen
- Grown from propagation or seed
This evergreen tree has smooth, oval, green leaves and bears bright red berries during the fall and winter. Louisiana doesn’t naturally grow many traditional Christmas trees, and it was a common practice in the early 20th century to chop down a holly tree instead. However, this was discouraged in the 1960s because the Holly tree was nearly exterminated in some areas of the state. Today, you can find the American Holly in almost every parish.
8. Satsuma Mandarin
- Citrus unshiu
- Evergreen
- Grown by propagation and seeds
The short and stout Satsuma tree flourished after being brought over from its native country of Japan in the early 1900s. Louisianians quickly adopted this evergreen citrus tree into their culture, selling young trees in nearly every plant nursery, featuring its fruit in farmer’s markets in the late fall, and even including it in the Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival, which is held annually during the first weekend in December. Interestingly enough, the Satsuma tree is quarantined in the New Orleans metropolitan area, including Plaquemines Parish, because of citrus canker, a bacterial disease that weakens citrus trees. Affected fruit is safe for humans to eat but is prohibited from leaving the parish where it came from because canker spreads so easily and causes long-term harm to the citrus population. Satsumas are a sweet, tart fruit harvested in the fall between September and late November, depending on the variety.
- See Also: 8 Types of Grass in Louisiana
Conclusion
You can easily identify most of these trees from anywhere in the state, whether you’re just visiting or wandering through a local plant nursery as you plan your garden. Louisiana trees tend to be strong and sturdy, weathering decades and even centuries of floods and droughts. Diseases like citrus canker have weakened some tree populations that were once strong, so be sure to ask an expert at the nursery for advice before you bring a new tree into your yard.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: PublicDomainPicture, Pixabay
Contents
- 1 The 8 Types of Trees in Louisiana – What grows in the Bayou State?
- 1.1 1. Bald Cypress
- 1.2 2. Southern Magnolia
- 1.3 3. Crape Myrtle
- 1.4 4. Water Oak
- 1.5 5. American Elm
- 1.6 6. Sugar Maple
- 1.7 7. American Holly
- 1.8 8. Satsuma Mandarin
- 2 Conclusion
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FAQs
What type of trees grow in the Bayou? ›
Bayous are usually shallow and sometimes heavily wooded. They can be freshwater, saltwater, or a combination of both. This combination is called "brackish water." Bayou vegetation ranges from tiny mosses to huge cypress trees.
What kind of trees grow in the swamps of Louisiana? ›In southern swamps, the two dominant trees are Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), a gymnosperm, and Water Tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), an angiosperm. These swamps are often referred to as cypress-tupelo swamps.
What kind of trees do they have in Louisiana? ›- Cherrybark Oak. Quercus falcata.
- Southern Red Oak. Quercus velutina.
- Black Oak. Quercus shumardii.
But there are some sturdy trees that grow relatively fast. Consider planting bald cypress, Drake elm, lacebark elm, red maples, swamp tupelo, sweet bay magnolia, sycamore, live oak, nutall oak, overcup oak, pin oak, sawtooth oak and willow oak.
What trees can grow in a swamp? ›Hardwood swamps have trees like red maple, black willow, aspen, cottonwood, ashes, elms, swamp white oak, pin oak, tupelo and birches.
What trees grow best in a swamp? ›What Trees Grow in Marshes and Swamps? Bald cypress is the best-known tree that grows in swamps, and it is common throughout the southeastern United States. Willows, cottonwood, aspen, red maple, swamp white oak, and birches are also commonly found in marshes.
What are the big trees in Louisiana called? ›They are the grand monuments of the southern landscape, with massive strong arms that support an evergreen crown that can be fashionably draped with Spanish moss. The biggest of the live oaks is called the Seven Sisters Oak, located in Mandeville Louisiana.
What are swamp trees called? ›Cypress swamps provide important habitat for a multitude of wildlife. Swamps are forested wetlands covering approximately 10% of the land area in Florida. These forests often grow in long flooded depressions in the landscape called strands and are dominated primarily by Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum).
What is the best tree to plant in Louisiana? ›- Willow Oak: Willow oak is an ornamental and shade tree. ...
- LaceBark Elm: This tree can quickly adapt to any conditions it may face. ...
- Willow: The willow tree is a beautiful tree that will thrive on lots of water and is considered very wet soil tolerant.
Louisiana is home to 15.0 ± 0.1 million acres of forest land. Forest area has increased by about 5 percent (688,100 acres) since 2005 (table 1). The number of live trees on Louisiana's forest land in 2014 was estimated at 9.3 billion, an increase of 12 percent from 2005.
What kind of cypress trees grow in Louisiana? ›
The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is the state tree of Louisiana, and these native trees can be observed growing throughout Louisiana and the entire southeastern United States.
What kind of tree grows fast and provides shade? ›Of the 11 listed here, the one that grows the fastest is the weeping willow — it adds about 10 feet to its height each year, topping out at 40 feet. Next in line are the nuttall oak at 4 feet per year, the dawn redwood at 3.5 feet per year, and the tulip poplar at 3 feet per year.
Can cedar trees grow in Louisiana? ›Eastern red cedar is an important source of fence posts, supposedly responsible for giving Baton Rouge (red stick) its name. Juniperus virginiana is also a source of timber for chests, paneling, and cedar-leaf oil. It is cultivated and often used by the people of south Louisiana as Christmas trees.
What can grow in a swamp? ›In many freshwater swamps in the southeastern United States, cypress and tupelo trees grow. Spanish moss may hang from the branches, and tiny plants called duckweed may cover the waters surface. Shrubs and bushes may grow beneath the trees.
What color are swamp trees? ›...
Swamp White Oak.
| Mature Tree Height | 50-60 FT |
|---|---|
| Mature Crown Width | 50-70 FT |
| Growth Per Year | 1-2 FT |
- Red Maple.
- Ash.
- Black Gum.
- White Cedar.
- River Birch.
The pine tree can actually absorb water through the needles and transport the water to the roots. Some pine trees have this ability and others do not.
How tall are swamp trees? ›While the trees are prized for both their construction and ornamental values, they also play a vital role in wetland ecology. Bald cypress can grow for thousands of years and reach heights of 100-150 feet.
What is the largest oak tree in Louisiana? ›The largest live oak specimen in Louisiana is located in Mandeville and has been named the Seven Sisters oak. It has a whopping spread of 132 feet and a trunk 37 feet in diameter. One of the oldest live oaks in the South, the Angel oak, is located in Charleston. It is said to be about 400 to 600 years old.
How tall is the tallest tree in Louisiana? ›| Nr | Tree species | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine) | 37 m |
| 2 | Quercus virginiana (Southern Live Oak) | 25 m |
| 23.80 m | ||
| 22.20 m |
Where is the largest cypress tree in Louisiana? ›
Legacy Cypress Trees in Louisiana
The largest bald cypress in the United States is located in Louisiana on Cat Island near St. Francisville. The massive tree measures 53 feet in circumference at breast height.
The bottom of these swamps is filled with mud and sand, and they fill with water when the ocean tide is high. Mangrove trees are common in these swamps. Their roots keep the sand in the swamp so it doesn't wash away, and these mangrove forests protect the coastline.
Can you eat cypress nuts? ›None of the trees that have "cypress" in their common names are considered edible. The trees don't appear as even emergency nutrition options in such sources as Purdue University's Famine Foods database. At the same time, no cypresses are listed as toxic to humans by California Poison Control.
Why are there dead trees in swamps? ›The periodic floods that occur in swamps help deposit alluvial soil. In turn, the waterlogged, spongy soil leads to further accumulation of organic material, such as dead leaves or plants. This organic soil supports many types of water-tolerant trees that have evolved to thrive in wet conditions.
Which tree can grow in saltwater? ›The most common trees that can grow near saltwater are the pond apple, common horse chestnut, Canadian serviceberry, honey locust, white oak, and Japanese tree lilac. Mangroves grow directly in saltwater. These trees have adapted to live in salty environments.
What are 3 examples of trees that live in a freshwater swamp? ›Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is an example of a tree adapted to growth in swamps, but gums, willows (Salix), alders (Alnus), and maples (Acer) are also common.
What trees can survive saltwater? ›Some plants, such as various species of oak, maple, magnolia, cedar and willow, can survive in conditions with high soil salinity or salt spray. However, mangroves are the only trees that grow directly in salt water.
What is the fastest growing tree for privacy? ›What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.
What is a mayhaw tree? ›Mayhaws are the fruit of the native thorny hawthorn tree. In 2014 the mayhaw tree was adopted as the official state fruit tree of Louisiana and mayhaw jelly is one of the two official state jellies. The trees produce spectacular blooms in early spring followed by a tart, red berry that is popular for making jelly.
What kind of tree has big leaves? ›Gunnera. Gunnera plant is the granddaddy of big-leaved perennials. Each thick, hairy, veined leaf grows nearly 5 feet across, and the whole plant stretches 8 to 10 statuesque feet.
Do black walnut trees grow in Louisiana? ›
The Eastern black walnut (Juglans Nigra) extends its growing area from the Northeast down through the Mississippi River to Louisiana, while the Texas black walnut (Juglans microcarpa) is scattered throughout Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
What type of tree is a cypress? ›Cypress trees are a large classification of conifers, encompassing the trees and shrubs from the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and many others with the word “cypress” in their common name. Many cypress trees have needle-like, evergreen foliage and acorn-like seed cones.
Can I cut down a cypress tree in Louisiana? ›The bill states, “It shall be unlawful for any person or government entity, or his agent or employee, to cut, fell, destroy, remove, or to divert for sale or use, any cypress trees growing or lying on public land owned by or under the control of the state of Louisiana or local governing authority.”
Can you harvest cypress trees in Louisiana? ›(AP) — Louisiana's iconic bald cypress trees will be protected on state-owned property, after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a new law banning the trees' harvesting on more than 1 million acres (404,685 hectares) of state land.
Are cypress trees good to plant? ›Many gardeners don't consider planting cypress because they believe it only grows in wet, boggy soil. While it's true that their native environment is constantly wet, once they're established, cypress trees grow well on dry land and can even withstand occasional drought.
What is the fastest growing hardwood tree? ›Record-breaking growth
The Empress Splendor (botanical name Paulownia fortunei and P. elongata) is the one of the fastest-growing trees in the world. A hardwood, it can grow 10-20 feet in its first year and reaches maturity within 10 years.
Quaking Aspen is native to Minnesota and will grow vigorously under the right conditions. It is native to most of the United States with the exception of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, extending down to Florida.
Does Hickory grow in Louisiana? ›Distribution. Pignut hickory can be found all across the eastern United States. They are native to some parts of New Hampshire and their growth extends all the way down to Florida. They can also grow as far as Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana6.
Does juniper grow in Louisiana? ›Juniper-leaf grows in dry, sandy fields, on dunes, along roadsides, and in openings in flatwoods throughout Louisiana and the eastern two thirds of Texas.
What trees should not be planted close to a house? ›The worst trees to plant near a house are oak, ash, and poplar trees, as these species are the most likely to cause this type of damage to the foundations of a house. Choosing a smaller tree with a non-invasive root system is the best option for planting near a house.
Are catalpa pods hallucinogenic? ›
This plant is often found on old homestead sites, even in the middle of apparent wilderness in the Pine barrens, indicating previous settlement. The name "catalpa" comes from the Native American tribe, Catawba of South Carolina, who smoked the bean pods. The pods are said to be hallucinogenic.
What type of tree is a cypress? ›Cypress trees are a large classification of conifers, encompassing the trees and shrubs from the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and many others with the word “cypress” in their common name. Many cypress trees have needle-like, evergreen foliage and acorn-like seed cones.
What is a Johnny Smoker tree? ›In South Carolina, the Catawba Indians smoked the long pods from the tree for medicinal and hallucinogenic reasons. They gave the Catalpa nicknames such as “Indian Cigar Tree,” and “Johnny Smoker.” The leaves of the Catapla are said to relieve pain, especially when applied to cuts and abrasions.
What are squirrels favorite trees? ›They prefer hardwood or mixed forests with nut trees, especially oak-hickory forests and river bottoms. They bury nuts individually far away from where they were found.
Can you eat beans from a catalpa tree? ›The tree is famous for its long seed pods, which resemble beans or cigars. Despite the common name of "bean tree," however, this catalpa has no known edible uses. PFAF calls its roots highly poisonous, but various medicinal teas have been made from its bark, seeds and pods, each addressing different ailments.
What is a catalpa tree good for? ›Industry: Used for general construction work, interior finish, cabinetwork, fence posts, rails, and fuel (Stephens 1973). Ornamental: Southern catalpa is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade tree. It is widely planted in urban areas as a street and lawn tree.
Is catalpa tree poisonous? ›Answer: For the most part, catalpa trees are not poisonous. The poisonous parts of the tree are the roots and possibly the leaves as well. Both of these are poisonous to humans and animals alike. The flowers and beans are said to not be poisonous, though.
Are cypress trees worth money? ›New cypress sells for about $2 a board foot. Felled by a natural disaster before people walked these parts, the forest of trees has been radiocarbon-dated at up to 40,000 years old.
What kind of cypress trees grow in Louisiana? ›The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is the state tree of Louisiana, and these native trees can be observed growing throughout Louisiana and the entire southeastern United States.
What are swamp trees called? ›Cypress swamps provide important habitat for a multitude of wildlife. Swamps are forested wetlands covering approximately 10% of the land area in Florida. These forests often grow in long flooded depressions in the landscape called strands and are dominated primarily by Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum).
What tree has beans on it? ›
Often mistaken for softwood, catalpa is quite poor firewood. It only generates 16.4 million BTUs per cord once seasoned, mostly because it is very quick to burn out. If you want a short fire during the warmer spring or autumn months, catalpa is perfect. Otherwise, go with firewood that produces more heat.
What tree has long beans? ›After the flowers have fallen, one's gaze shifts to the long and slender green seed pods. Growing 12-22 inches long, these are why the catalpa is known by some as the “green bean tree”. Northern catalpa grows great in full sun to part shade.
What do squirrels do at night? ›Squirrels sleep either in trees or in underground burrows at night. After a busy day of playing around, searching for and burying food, they retreat to their nests at night to sleep. Tree squirrels sleep in dens or nests at night.
Do squirrels eat meat? ›Squirrels are omnivores, which means they like to eat plants and meat. Squirrels mainly eat fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits, but they will also munch on eggs, small insects, caterpillars, small animals and even young snakes.
What attracts squirrels to your yard? ›Squirrels are opportunistic feeders and love eating. The quickest way to lure squirrels to your backyard is to scatter corn on the ground at the base of a tree, hang corn on a corn feeder, or set up a squirrel feeder with some wild squirrel food, hickory nuts, walnuts, and acorns.