Overview
Georgia's forests range from Appalachian hardwood coves in the north to piney coastal plain and cypress swamps in the south, giving the state exceptional tree diversity. Many species are easy to recognize once you learn a few leaf, bark, and shape clues.
This guide covers common and iconic Georgia trees — how to tell them apart by leaf, bark, and habit. Pair it with a photo of the leaf or bark and the app to confirm any tree you find.
Key Species to Know
Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
A massive, spreading evergreen oak with small, leathery oval leaves and wide, low limbs often draped in Spanish moss. A defining tree of the Georgia coast and old squares.
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
A stately evergreen with large, glossy dark-green leaves (rusty beneath) and huge, fragrant creamy-white flowers in late spring. Widely planted and native to the south.
Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
A fast-growing pine with needles in bundles of three and scaly reddish bark, dominating much of Georgia's planted and second-growth forest. A backbone of the state's timber industry.
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
A small understory tree with tiered branches, oval leaves, and showy white (occasionally pink) spring "flowers" — actually bracts — followed by clusters of red berries.
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
A small tree with heart-shaped leaves that bursts into rosy-pink pea flowers directly on bare branches in early spring, before leafing out.
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
A deciduous conifer of southern swamps with feathery needles that turn rusty in fall and distinctive "knees" rising from the water around its buttressed base.
Seasonal Guide
- Spring: dogwood and redbud flower before the canopy leafs out — the easiest time to spot them.
- Summer: evergreen live oak and magnolia stand out darker against deciduous greens.
- Fall: bald cypress turns rusty-orange in the swamps while most conifers stay green.
Safety Reminder
This is an identification guide only — it does not cover edibility or foraging. Observe trees without damaging bark or breaking limbs, and stay on established trails in swamps and wetlands.
Identify it instantly
Found something and not sure what it is? Point your camera with Spotter and get a species identification in seconds — with detailed reference info and species notes.