Know Your Trees: A Guide to Native Trees of South Dakota
- SDACD
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Happy Arbor Day! Today we're celebrating by shining a spotlight on some of the incredible trees that call our great state home.
South Dakota might be known for its wide-open prairies, but look a little closer, from the Black Hills to the river bottoms along the Missouri, our state is home to a surprising variety of native trees. These aren't just pretty faces. Native trees are perfectly adapted to our climate, support local wildlife, and play a huge role in keeping our soil and water healthy.
Here's a look at some of the trees you might spot across South Dakota:
Cottonwood
If you've ever seen a riverbank lined with big, shimmering trees swaying in the summer breeze, that's probably cottonwood. Fast-growing and water-loving, cottonwoods are a keystone species along South Dakota's streams and rivers, providing shade, erosion control, and critical wildlife habitat. Keep an eye out for their fluffy white seeds floating through the air in early summer!
Bur Oak
Built South Dakota tough. Bur oaks are one of the most fire-resistant trees on the Great Plains, with thick, corky bark that helped them survive centuries of prairie fires. A single mature bur oak can support thousands of species of insects, birds, and mammals, and some of these trees live for 300 years or more!
Hackberry
An unsung hero of the South Dakota landscape. Hackberry handles drought, wind, poor soils, and brutal winters without complaint. Its small berries are a favorite food source for birds, making it one of the best wildlife trees you can plant. Look for its distinctive warty, ridged bark, it's hard to miss once you know what you're looking for.
Common Chokecherry
Technically a large shrub or small tree, the chokecherry is deeply woven into South Dakota's history and culture. Its berries have long been used for jellies and syrups. Pollinators love the spring blooms, and birds can't get enough of the fruit.
Ponderosa Pine
The iconic tree of the Black Hills. Ponderosa pines are drought-tolerant, long-lived, and provide critical habitat for birds and wildlife. Their reddish-brown bark and vanilla scent on warm days make them easy to fall in love with.
Black Hills Spruce
South Dakota's very own state tree! This compact, cold-hardy spruce is native to the Black Hills region and is a staple in windbreaks and shelterbelts across the state. Tough, beautiful, and a true symbol of South Dakota pride.
Green Ash
You'll still find green ash growing across South Dakota, it's been a common native tree in our river valleys and farmsteads for generations. However, we no longer recommend planting new green ash trees due to the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that has been devastating ash populations across the country. If you have ash trees on your property, contact your local conservation district for guidance on monitoring and management.
Why does it matter which trees we plant?
Native trees are built for South Dakota. They require less water once established, support local pollinators and wildlife that evolved alongside them, and are better equipped to handle our harsh winters and dry summers. When you plant a native tree, you're not just adding beauty to your yard or land, you're investing in the whole ecosystem.
This Arbor Day, consider reaching out to your local conservation district for help choosing the right native tree for your land. SDACD and South Dakota's 68 conservation districts are here to help!
Full List of Native Trees in South Dakota
Deciduous
American Elm
Basswood
Black Walnut
Boxelder
Bur Oak
Common Chokecherry
Cottonwood
Crabapple
Green Ash
Hackberry
Hawthorn
Honeylocust
Hophornbeam
Paper Birch
Peachleaf Willow
Quaking Aspen
Rock Elm
Silver Maple
Slippery Elm
White Willow
Conifer
Black Hills Spruce
Eastern Redcedar
Limber Pine
Lodgepole Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Rocky Mountain Juniper
