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Top 20 Most Common Trees in St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri, United States boasts a dynamic urban greenscape that thrives amidst the bustling cityscape. The city's unique environmental conditions have paved the way for the existence of native trees such as Eastern redbud, Mulberry, and Sweetgum. These quintessential trees not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the city but also contribute to its cultural and ecological identity. Through their presence, they exemplify the harmonious coexistence of nature and urban development in St. Louis.

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Most Common Trees
Eastern redbud
1. Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.
Plant Height:
6 m to 15 m
Mulberry
2. Mulberry
A unique and easy-to-grow edible landscaping plant, the mulberry is prized for its tasty fruits as well as its exquisite ornamental appeal. Originally native to China, this plant was valued for its role in silk production: silkworms will only eat the leaves of mulberry trees, making them crucial for the product's creation. Ultimately, the trees were sold around the world and are used today in different countries that produce silk.
Plant Height:
9 m to 20 m
Box elder
3. Box elder
Box elder (Acer negundo) is a type of maple tree native to North America, but which is now found throughout the world. It is a hardy, medium-to-large tree that grows quickly and has a relatively short lifespan of up to 60 years. Older trees are prone to storm damage. Box elder wood is relatively flimsy because the tree grows so fast.
Plant Height:
10 m to 25 m
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Sweetgum
4. Sweetgum
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.
Plant Height:
15 m to 46 m
Rose of sharon
5. Rose of sharon
Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.
Plant Height:
2 m to 4 m
Silver maple
6. Silver maple
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States and southeast Canada. It is a 15 to 25 m tall, fast-growing, sun-loving tree. Its leaves have deeper angular notches between the five lobes than many other maple species. Silver maple is often found along waterways and wetlands, earning it an alternative name 'Water maple'.
Plant Height:
15 m to 30 m
Common sassafras
7. Common sassafras
Common sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous tree commonly found on woodland edges, fields, along roadsides, and fence rows. This plant has a long history of use in Native American traditions, most commonly for culinary purposes. Common sassafras root was also a key flavoring for homemade root beers in the past, though the use is largely discontinued due to concerns that the safrole contained within is carcinogenic.
Plant Height:
10 m to 20 m
Flowering dogwood
8. Flowering dogwood
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small North American tree renowned for its wide canopy and plentiful spring blooms. Individual white or pink “flower” is actually a flower head that contains four oval bracts and a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers. Because of its decorative canopy, prolific spring blooming, and attractive red autumn leaves and berries, it is the most popular native tree in US gardens.
Plant Height:
6 m to 10 m
Tulip poplar
9. Tulip poplar
The tulip poplar is not a poplar at all but is a member of the magnolia family. It gets its name from the tulip-shaped flowers that are green and yellow. It is the tallest Eastern hardwood and was prized by Native Americans as a favorite tree to use to make dugout canoes.
Plant Height:
10 m to 40 m
American sycamore
10. American sycamore
When you think of a american sycamore, size may be the first thing to come to mind. This deciduous tree can reach heights of 23 to 30 m tall and has leaves that resemble those of a maple tree. The trunk of the american sycamore is larger than that of any other native tree, with mature trees having recorded diameters up to 4.5 m.
Plant Height:
30 m to 40 m
Red maple
11. Red maple
The red maple is a common North American tree with distinctive red leaves and flower buds. Its sap can be made into maple syrup and the wood is good for furniture. Though non-toxic to humans, the leaves are very toxic to horses. According to the U.S. Forest Service, red maple is the most common tree in eastern North America.
Plant Height:
18 m to 30 m
Pawpaw
12. Pawpaw
Pawpaw (*Asimina triloba*) is a small tree native to the eastern United States. Pawpaw is mentioned in many American folk songs, and it is the state fruit of Ohio. Many United States cities are named after the pawpaw.
Plant Height:
11 m to 14 m
Common Persimmon
13. Common Persimmon
Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern parts of North America. Its edible fruits are high in vitamin C and readily eaten by wildlife. Seeds of common Persimmon can be roasted and used as an alternative to coffee; leaves can be dried and used as a tea.
Plant Height:
10 m to 18 m
Black walnut
14. Black walnut
Black walnut is a large riparian zone tree native to North America. It is cultivated for nutritious walnuts and high-quality dark timber. Black walnut produces juglone, a compound that inhibits the growth of other plants in the black walnut tree’s proximity, so it may be undesirable near lawns and gardens. It is susceptible to a Thousand Cankers Disease.
Plant Height:
20 m to 45 m
Bald cypress
15. Bald cypress
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a long-lived deciduous conifer native to swamps, creeks, and rivers in southeastern areas of North America. These trees grow quite slow, but due to their longevity, they can reach remarkable heights. Bald cypress is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.
Plant Height:
15 m to 50 m
Tree of heaven
16. Tree of heaven
While the tree of heaven has a lovely name, it has a bad reputation in many areas of the US. Several states consider it an invasive species because of its aggressive growth, rapid reproduction, and ability to thrive in poor conditions. The root system of this tree routinely damages sidewalks, sewer systems and other structures.
Plant Height:
10 m to 27 m
Common hackberry
17. Common hackberry
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a medium-sized deciduous tree, native to North America. It looks similar to elms and some other hackberry trees at first glance, but you can distinguish it by looking at the bark - if it is verrucous and has corky texture, then it is probably common hackberry.
Plant Height:
9 m to 40 m
Eastern red cedar
18. Eastern red cedar
Eastern red cedar is a coniferous evergreen tree that is native to North America. The fruit of this tree, juniper berries, is an important food source for birds in the winter. The wood of the eastern red cedar is used in fencing as it is resistant to rot, and it is also used to line closets and chests since it also resists moths.
Plant Height:
5 m to 30 m
American elm
19. American elm
American elm (Ulmus americana) is a deciduous hermaphroditic tree which can be found in a variety of habitats - swamps, low-laying lands, areas surrounding rivers, hillsides, and highlands. It was a very dominant tree species in North America before Dutch elm disease was introduced during the first half of the 20th century, which caused massive die-offs.
Plant Height:
18 m to 35 m
American elder
20. American elder
American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is a North American native deciduous shrub with enormous inflorescence of grouped small white flowers and dangling bunches of mauveine berries. When cooked, the fruits can be added to pies, pancakes, and jellies. Wine can also be produced from its flowers and fruits. The bushy leaves and arching branches attract wildlife, providing nesting space for birds.
Plant Height:
3 m
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More Plants in St. Louis

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Nestled by the Mississippi River, St. Louis, Missouri, benefits from a rich botanical variance ascribed to its moist, fertile soils, yet this environmental blessing equally serves as a crucible for toxic flora such as , , and . Amidst the mosaic of urban and green spaces, a dialogue emerges on managing these hazardous species. Efforts to curtail their spread are pivotal in safeguarding public health and preserving the native ecological harmony.

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Most Common Flowers

St. Louis, Missouri, United States, boasts a vibrant urban tapestry that provides a haven for native flowers to flourish. With its diverse green spaces and eco-friendly initiatives, the city nurtures a variety of plant life. Among them, , , and stand out as representative species, adding visual splendor and urban symbolism to the city. These flowers contribute to St. Louis' environmental vitality, creating a harmonious blend of nature and urban living.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As St. Louis sheds its wintry cloak, Spring's gentle reawakening nurtures the cityscape into a canvas of color. The , with its vivacious blooms, punctuates the urban greenery, symbolizing new beginnings. The follows, forming a vibrant tapestry along boulevards, embodying the city's enduring spirit. Lastly, emerges, its blossoms revered in local lore, heralding the full swing of the season. Together, they form St. Louis's signature mosaic of springtime renewal.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in St. Louis blossoms with life, invigorating the cityscape and promising a bounty of urban-grown delights. Amidst this rejuvenation, trees unfurl their petals, forecasting a sweet season ahead. , another prolific bearer, adds an interactive zest to community gardens. The iconic stands as a testament to the enduring love for home-grown flavors that characterizes the city's connection to nature's gifts.

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Most Common Fruits

Nestled within St. Louis's continental climate zone, generous summers and mild winters create a haven for urban fruit plants like , , and . The city's tapestry of parks and community gardens, integrated within its cultural milieu, serves as fertile ground for these species. Encouraged by local green initiatives, these fruit bearers not only dot the urban landscape but also enhance community bonding and underscore the city's commitment to green urbanism.

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Most Common Weeds

In the verdant expanses of St. Louis, Missouri, intertwining with the very fabric of its urban gardens, the perennial rebels persist. The city's humid continental climate, fostering brisk summers and chilly winters, serves as an unwitting cradle for invasive flora. Pervasive , stubborn , and resilient ubiquitously claim dominion, posing constant challenges to the meticulous stewardship of local greenery. These weeds intertwine with the landscape, becoming almost as emblematic as the city's iconic Gateway Arch.

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Most Common Tall Trees

In the climatically diverse St. Louis, where hot summers and cold winters shape the flora, the urban landscape is punctuated with green retreats that host remarkable trees. Among these, the commanding imbues grandeur into city parks, while the towering stands as a symbol of ecological resilience. The legendary is steeped in local lore, gracing the skyline and mesmerizing residents with their formidable presence and environmental contributions.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

In St. Louis, Missouri, United States, three typical winter blooming species can be found, namely , , and . The features delicate, feather-like leaves and vibrant, disc-shaped blooms, thriving in cooler winters characteristic of St. Louis. It usually blooms from late summer through the end of winter. The also flourishes during the winter months, producing clusters of compact, colorful flowers. This succulent plant prefers the drier, colder conditions of the indoors during this time of year in St. Louis. The also blooms in winter, displaying a range of light and dark pink flowers, which are accentuated by the stark contrasts of the snowy Missouri winters. The prevailing cool winters and well-drained soils of St. Louis aid in the survival and growth of these flowering plant species.

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Most Common Plants

In St. Louis, you can find Amur honeysuckle, Pokeweed, Virginia creeper, Eastern redbud, Poison ivy, 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.

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Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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