Top 10 Tallest Trees in Rock Island

Rock Island, Illinois, braves a humid continental climate, fostering a thriving urban canopy amidst abundant green spaces like Longview Park. Studding this lush cityscape, Coast redwood, Common douglas-fir, and Western red cedar, reach skyward, inducing awe and purifying the city air. Each species is steeped in local lore, embodying natural monuments to the city's reverence for green giants. Their stately presence underlines Rock Island's commitment to environmental harmony and community green space.

List of Tallest Trees

1. Coast redwood

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is a tree species native to the United States. Coast redwood is also called the California redwood. This species is one of the tallest trees on Earth. The coast redwood is one of the oldest living organisms.

Plant Height:

115 m

2. Common douglas-fir

The Common douglas-fir is named after Scottish botanist David Douglas, who discovered it. Small mammals rely heavily on the seeds for nutrition. Many Native American tribes utilized the bark, resin, and pine needles to prepare herbal remedies for various ailments. Common douglas-fir is often used in heavy timber buildings due to its sturdy wood.

Plant Height:

20 m to 100 m

3. Sitka spruce

The sitka spruce (*Picea sitchensis*) is the fifth-tallest conifer in the world and can grow to be 70 m tall. Sitka spruce is found in cool, maritime locations in coastal areas. This species grows best in deep, moist, well-drained soil. It produces reddish to yellowish-brown seed cones. Its light, soft wood is strong and flexible, with acoustic qualities. This tree's wood is commercially used to make musical instruments such as guitars and pianos. It is also used to make early aircraft and boats.

Plant Height:

80 m

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4. Western red cedar

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a cedar tree species native to the western United States. Despite its name, the western red cedar is not considered a true cedar. Instead, it belongs to the Cypress family. This species is commercially used to make decks, siding, and the soundboards of guitars.

Plant Height:

65 m to 70 m

5. Ponderosa pine

The ponderosa pine tree is one of the most common pine trees. It grows straight and tall, up to 76 m, with a deep root that makes it resistant to wind and drought. These trees can live for hundreds of years and are often used for their wood.

Plant Height:

70 m

6. Eastern white pine

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a long-lived evergreen tree native to mixed forests of temperate zones in eastern North America. It is considered one of the tallest trees in its native area. Eastern white pine has a straight-grained lightweight wood, highly valued in construction.

Plant Height:

30 m to 67 m

7. Norfolk island pine

Norfolk island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a conifer tree native to Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Islands. Now, it is a popular houseplant all around the world. However, norfolk island pine is in danger of dying out in the wild.

Plant Height:

50 m to 65 m

8. Norway spruce

The fastest-growing of all spruces, the norway spruce (Picea abies) makes for a good roosting spot for owls and hawks. Its wood is used for paper, construction lumber, and musical instruments, and its needles can be used to brew spruce beer. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees.

Plant Height:

30 m to 62 m

9. Eastern cottonwood

Eastern cottonwood is a fast-growing, short-lived commercial hardwood of America. It is known for its method of regeneration, where the fluff-covered seeds are dispersed by the wind and create the effect of ‘snow’ for a short period of time. The tree is cultivated for its lightweight wood to make a variety of furniture, plywood, and other wood products.

Plant Height:

20 m to 60 m

10. Eastern hemlock

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) really takes its time to mature. In fact, it may take up to 300 years to reach what's considered adulthood among evergreen trees. It can even live for another 100 years if conditions are right. Other names for this majestic species include hemlock spruce and Canada hemlock.

Plant Height:

31 m to 53 m

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More Plants in Rock Island

Most Common Toxic Plants

Nestled along the Mississippi River, Rock Island's humid continental climate engenders a fertile breeding ground for diverse flora, including toxic varieties. Amid its verdant urban parks and untamed riverbanks, , , and have taken root. These noxious species pose ecological puzzles and health risks, reflecting a wider tension between urbanization and natural preservation in the city's communal landscapes.

Most Common Flowers

Rock Island, located in Illinois, United States, boasts a vibrant urban tapestry interlaced with green spaces that serve as hotspots for native flowers to thrive. Among these blossoms, three standout varieties are noteworthy: , , and . These flowers contribute to the visual spectacle and greenery of the city, symbolizing its unique beauty and ecological importance. While detailed descriptions are omitted, these flowers are emblematic of the rich floral diversity found within Rock Island, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and advocates alike.

Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Rock Island, Illinois shakes off the winter chill, the city's canvas bursts into life with Spring's floral renaissance. The streets and gardens are dotted with the vibrant hues of , symbolizing renewal, while adds a delicate touch of urban natural beauty. , with cultural resonance, crowns the season's bloom, each flower contributing to the city's springtime narrative and the collective spirit of growth and rejuvenation.

Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Rock Island, Illinois, ushers in a season of renewal, with urban gardens bursting into life, offering a palette of blossoming fruit plants. The cityscape transforms as yields its juicy offerings, flourishes with vibrant hues and flavors, and marks the season's peak, intertwining the community with a sense of local bounty. These fruits reflect Rock Island's zest for springtime cultivation, ingrained in its urban heart.

Most Common Fruits

Amidst the temperate climate and fertile soil of Rock Island, Illinois, urban fruit plants prosper, particularly boosted by the city's commitment to expansive green spaces. Fruit species like , , and not only thrive in residents' gardens but also within communal orchards, reflecting an intertwining of local edible landscapes with the city's cultural identity. These plants serve as edible emblems in urban green initiatives, nurturing community bonds and enhancing Rock Island's environmental narrative.

Most Common Trees

Rock Island, Illinois, United States, boasts a thriving urban greenscape nurtured by its unique environmental backdrop. Amidst urban development, the city is graced by a diverse array of native trees, including , , and . These quintessential trees play a vital role in shaping the city's green identity, offering aesthetic beauty, cultural significance, and ecological benefits.

Most Common Weeds

Nestled along the Mississippi, Rock Island's fertile soils and temperate climate provide an inadvertent Eden for invasive flora. Among the greenery, , , and assert their dominance, forcing gardeners into perennial combat. These botanical trespassers thrive in the urban mosaic, becoming emblematic of the challenges faced in preserving native biodiversity and maintaining pristine lawns and gardens within this verdant urban milieu.

Most Common Flowers of Winter

The temperate region of Rock Island, Illinois, United States provides a suitable environment for several flowering plants even during winter. One such plant is the winter blooming , which displays colorful airy foliage with remarkably proportioned, daisy_like blossoms. Although it usually blooms in summer and fall, it can sometimes extend its blooming until the colder months in Rock Island's milder climate. Another species is , a shade-loving plant with vibrant flowers that bloom throughout the year, including winter, provided the conditions are frost-free. It thrives in Rock Island's well-drained soils with sufficient moisture. Lastly, the is particularly noticeable during winter due to its clusters of brightly colored flowers, which blossom when daylight is at a minimum. This plant enhances its survival during the winter season by storing water in leaves for extended periods, adapting well to the colder and relatively drier climate of the region.

Most Common Plants

In Rock Island, you can find Pokeweed, Poison ivy, Common milkweed, Virginia creeper, Mulberry, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.