The First State, 'Liberty and Independence'
State Tree: American Holly
Delaware
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Native Trees of Delaware
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Delaware is only 96 miles long, 9
to 35 miles wide, and only has 3 counties, but
has plenty of history, a lot to explore, and many
famed beaches.  Delaware was the first state to
sign the Declaration of Independence and the
US Constitution, helping to earn the nick-name,
The First State.  The name of the state itself
also has a colorful, albeit somewhat dark,
history. Dating back to English nobility of the
mid 1500's, a man named William West was
stripped of his inherited titles and rank after
 
trying to poison an uncle.  At one point West was also tried for treason against Queen Mary I.       
However, during the Siege of St. Quinten in 1557, West served as a Captain and regained his
inherited nobility through reward of service.  Later, on Feb. 5, 1570, he was knighted and
named Baron de la Warr, securing a title to be passed down to the next generations.  After
coming to America, William's grandson Thomas West (3rd Baron de la Warr), was the
governor of the Jamestown Colony.  It was after the 3rd Baron de la Warr that the river, the
bay, and eventually the state, were named.  De la Warr is pronounced 'Delaware'. 
    With so much history, even in just the name, it is no wonder that Delaware has a State
History Trail.  There is also an official Delaware Geocaching Trail, with 69 caches, that will
delight many geocachers as they discover Delaware and are taken through many of the
state's historic sites.. 
    The beaches of Delaware are well known.  Rohoboth and Bethany beaches are popular
destinations for the weekend getaway, and in Fenwick Park, Fisher's Popcorn is an absolute
must for many.  Delaware has 3 bays: Delaware Bay, Indian River Bay, and Rohoboth Bay. 
One of the 16 State Parks is Delaware Seashore State Park, located on the barrier island
between the Atlantic ocean and the Indian River and Rohoboth Bays.  With just over 2800
acres, there is plenty of room for beach-goers and nature lovers.  For those looking for a good
view, Fox Point State Park offers an outstanding view from any of its many lookouts.  On a
clear day you can see all the way to Philadelphia!
    A lesser known fact about Delaware is that it is one of two states (the other being Utah) with
an official state star.  Called the Delaware Diamond, it is the first star on the International Star
Registry to be registered to a state and was done so on June 30, 2000.  Delaware is also
home to the worlds fastest 1-mile oval racetrack- the Dover International Speedway.
•  Delaware Native Trees A to Z
•  Delaware Tree Facts
•  Delaware Tree Families and Species
•  Endangered/Threatened Species
•  Tree Nurseries in Delaware
As with many things in Delaware, American
holly trees have a long history within the state.  This particular native
tree species is found in abundance throughout, both in nature and in
landscaping.  A handsome evergreen tree, American Holly was first
utilized in the late 1800's in the production of wreaths for Christmas. 
An extremely religious area and era, soon the town of Milton was
prospering on holly exports and became known as the Land of Holly. 
By the 1930's, Delaware was the leading producer of holly products
which were exported all over the world. 
  Sometimes called evergreen or Christmas holly, Ilex opaca is
typical of members of the Holly genus.  The leaves are thick, deep
green, and leathery with sharp thorns along the margins, or edges. 
It can grow upwards up 100 feet but rarely grows more than 60 in
Delaware.  The small round berries are green most of the year and
turn bright red when mature in the fall.
   American holly is found from Texas to Maine, with the exception of
New Hampshire, Vermont, and most of the mid-west, but is currently
threatened in Pennsylvania. 
American Holly, Ilex opaca
Photo courtesy: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database /
USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species.
Northeast National Technical Center, Chester.   See usage requirements.
Delaware Tree Facts
 
Forested acres: 340,568 (some sources say 375,000)
Percent of land forested:
30% (approximate)
Number of State Parks or Forests: 14 parks, 3 state forests
Number of National Forests: 0
Number of Tree city USA communities: 16
Number of invasive trees: 41
(see state list for noxious/invasive plants)
Damaging insects of high concern: Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle
Disease/Pathogen of concern: Sudden Oak Death
Number of tree families in our collection: 28
Number of endangered or threatened species in our collection:
0



References:
Delaware Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Statewide Forest Strategy.pdf
Delaware Resouce Fact Sheet, 2012

National Park Service, http://www.fs.usda.gov/
USDA, Forestry Service, FEIS
EDDMapS. 2013. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed January 17, 2013.

Additional state resources:

State of Delaware Forest Service: State Forests
Delaware State Parks- Buy an annual pass!
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Follow the links to view species native to Delaware. If the genus is not linked, species are listed on the family page.

Aceraceae, Maple
Anacardiaceae, Sumac
    Rhus, Sumac
Annonaceae, Custard-apple
Betulaceae, Birch
     Alnus, Alder
     Betula, Birch
     Carpinus,
Hornbeam
     Corylus, Hazelnut
     Ostrya, Hophornbeam
Bignoniaceae, Trumpet Creeper
     Catalpa, Catalpa
     Chilopsis, Desert Willow
Caprifoliaceae,
Honeysuckle
     Sambucus,
Elderberry
     Viburnum, Viburnum
Cornaceae, Dogwood
     Cornus, Dogwood
     Nyssa, Tupelo
Delaware Tree Families and Genera
click to enlarge.
Useful information while browsing species:

How to read a botanical name

• How to use our species boxes:
        -Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered
Please note: This is not a complete list of all native tree families and species found in Delaware. We are constantly working towards a more comprehensive list and will add families and their species as completed. 
Additional Resources:

North American Native Tree Families
North American A to Z List by Scientific Name
North American A to Z List by Common Name
 
Fabaceae, Pea
Fagaceae, Beech
    Quercus, Oak
Hamaelidaceae, Witch-hazel
Juglandaceae, Walnut
     Carya, Hickory
    Juglans, Walnut
Lauraceae, Laurel
Magnoliaceae, Magnolia
Moraceae, Mulberry
    Morus, Mulberry
Myricaceae, Bayberry
Oleaceae, Olive Family
    Fraxinus, Ash
Platanaceae, Plane-tree
     Platanus, Sycamore
Rosaceae,
Rose
    Crataegus, Hawthorn
    Malus, Crab-apple
    Prunus, Plum/Cherry
Rubiaceae, Madder
Rutaceae, Rue
Salicaceae, Willow
    Populus, Cottonwood
    Salix, Willow
Symplocaceae, Sweetleaf
Tiliaceae, Lindon
     Tilia, Basswood
Ulmaceae, Elm
    Celtis, Hackberry
    Ulmus, Elm
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Ebenaceae, Ebony
     Diospyros, Persimmon
Ericaceae, Heath
Delaware Endangered or Threatened Tree Species
 
This is not a comprehensive list but we are always working on adding more and will update accordingly.

There are currently no tree species listed as threatened or endangered in the state of Delaware.
Looking for a nursery near you?
Check out our nursery listing by county below!



Sorry, we do not currently have any tree nursery listings for this state.  We do update these lists, so please check back.
 
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        -Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered
Tree lists:
A-Z by scientific
  name     
A-Z by common
  name 
By Family
 
For state A-Z list click   state name below.
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Home>Browse by State>Native Trees of Delaware
Cupressaceae- Cypress
     Chamaecyparis, Cedar
     Juniperus, Juniper
     Taxodium, Baldcypress
Pinaceae, Pine
   Pinus, Pine