12 Native Trees to Plant in Missouri This Fall

Fall is one of the best times to add native trees to a Missouri landscape. Cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress, seasonal moisture helps keep the soil damp, and trees can begin establishing roots before the heat of the following summer.

Native trees are naturally suited to Missouri’s climate and growing conditions. Once established, they generally require less maintenance than many nonnative species while providing valuable food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Here are 12 beautiful native trees to consider planting in Missouri this fall.

1. Eastern Redbud

The eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is one of Missouri’s most recognizable spring-flowering trees. Its bare branches become covered with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers before the heart-shaped leaves appear.

Redbuds usually reach 20 to 30 feet tall, making them suitable for smaller yards, woodland edges, and areas near patios. Plant them in full sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Some afternoon shade can be helpful in hotter parts of the state.

Eastern redbuds provide early-season nectar for bees and add attractive yellow foliage to the fall landscape.

2. Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a graceful understory tree known for its white spring bracts, red fall foliage, and bright red berries.

Most flowering dogwoods grow between 15 and 30 feet tall. They perform best in partial shade and rich, well-drained soil containing plenty of organic matter. Avoid planting them in exposed locations where they will receive intense afternoon sun or experience extremely dry soil.

The berries provide food for numerous bird species, while the layered branches offer year-round structure and beauty.

3. Serviceberry

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a small native tree that provides interest throughout several seasons. White flowers appear in early spring, followed by edible purple-red fruits. Its foliage often turns orange, yellow, or red in fall.

Serviceberries normally grow 15 to 25 feet tall and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. They prefer moist, well-drained soil but adapt to a variety of landscape conditions.

The fruits can be used in pies, preserves, and baked goods—if birds do not eat them first.

4. Pawpaw

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is famous for producing the largest edible fruit native to North America. The soft fruit has a sweet, tropical flavor that is often compared to banana, mango, and vanilla.

Pawpaw trees typically reach 15 to 30 feet tall. Young trees appreciate partial shade, while mature trees can produce more fruit with increased sunlight. They grow best in deep, fertile soil that remains consistently moist but does not stay waterlogged.

Plant at least two genetically different pawpaw trees to improve pollination and fruit production.

5. American Persimmon

American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a durable native tree that produces sweet orange fruit in the fall. The fruit should be allowed to become fully ripe and soft before it is eaten.

These trees generally grow 35 to 60 feet tall and tolerate full sun or partial shade. They adapt to many soil types and become fairly drought tolerant after establishment.

Most American persimmon trees are either male or female. A female tree normally needs a nearby male pollinator to produce seeded fruit, although some cultivated varieties can set fruit without one.

6. River Birch

River birch (Betula nigra) is an excellent choice for low areas, rain gardens, stream banks, and properties with moist soil. Its peeling bark reveals attractive shades of cream, cinnamon, salmon, and brown.

This fast-growing tree can reach 40 to 70 feet tall. It grows in full sun or partial shade and performs especially well in moist, slightly acidic soil. Although river birch tolerates occasional flooding, established trees can also handle moderately dry periods.

Its extensive root system can help stabilize soil along ponds, creeks, and drainage areas.

7. Bald Cypress

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) looks like an evergreen during the growing season but drops its soft, feathery needles in fall. Before falling, the foliage often changes to a rich copper or rusty orange.

Mature trees usually grow 50 to 70 feet tall and develop a stately, pyramidal shape. Bald cypress thrives in wet ground but is surprisingly adaptable to ordinary landscape soil once established.

Plant it in full sun where it has enough room to mature. The tree is an excellent option for large yards, pond edges, and places that periodically collect water.

8. White Oak

White oak (Quercus alba) is a magnificent Missouri native that can live for several centuries when given the right conditions. It develops a broad canopy and may eventually reach 50 to 80 feet tall and equally wide.

White oaks prefer full sun and deep, well-drained soil. Because they become very large, they should be planted well away from houses, utility lines, pavement, and septic systems.

Their acorns provide food for deer, turkeys, squirrels, and many other animals. Native oaks also support a remarkable variety of caterpillars and other insects that birds rely on to feed their young.

9. Chinkapin Oak

Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is a strong shade tree with glossy, coarsely toothed leaves. Its yellowish fall color and rounded crown make it an attractive option for spacious residential properties.

This oak generally reaches 40 to 60 feet tall. It grows best in full sun and performs especially well in neutral or alkaline soil, although it can adapt to other well-drained locations.

Chinkapin oak produces relatively sweet acorns that are eagerly consumed by wildlife.

10. Shagbark Hickory

Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) gets its name from the long strips of bark that peel away from the trunk as the tree matures. It also produces edible hickory nuts and clear golden fall foliage.

A mature tree may reach 70 to 90 feet tall. Shagbark hickory prefers full sun or light shade and deep, well-drained soil. Its long taproot can make older trees difficult to transplant, so planting a young specimen is usually best.

Give this slow-growing tree a permanent location where future generations can enjoy it.

11. Black Gum

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), also called black tupelo, is prized for its spectacular fall color. A single tree may display combinations of yellow, orange, scarlet, and deep purple.

Black gum generally grows 30 to 50 feet tall. It tolerates full sun or partial shade and prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Once established, it can withstand occasional dry conditions.

Its small flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and its dark fruits are eaten by birds and other wildlife.

12. Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a hardy native evergreen that provides privacy, wind protection, and year-round wildlife cover. Female trees produce blue, berry-like cones that attract birds.

The tree normally grows 30 to 50 feet tall and develops a dense, pyramidal form. It thrives in full sun and tolerates dry, rocky, or nutrient-poor soil better than many other trees.

Avoid planting eastern red cedar near apple trees because it can serve as an alternate host for cedar-apple rust.

Why Plant Native Trees in the Fall?

Cooler fall weather reduces heat stress and allows newly planted trees to devote energy to root development instead of producing new leaves. Missouri’s fall rainfall may also help maintain soil moisture, although supplemental watering is still important.

Container-grown and properly handled balled-and-burlapped trees are commonly planted in fall. Bare-root forest seedlings may require different timing, so always follow the nursery’s planting recommendations. University of Missouri Extension generally identifies spring and fall as the preferred seasons for planting landscape trees.

How to Plant a Tree Correctly

Choose a location that provides the sunlight, moisture, soil conditions, and mature growing space required by the species.

Dig a planting hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper than the root system. The root flare—the area where the trunk begins spreading into roots—should remain visible at or slightly above the surrounding soil.

Remove the tree from its container and loosen any circling roots. Place it upright in the hole, backfill with the original soil, and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.

Apply two to three inches of organic mulch over the root area, but leave several inches of open space around the trunk. Piling mulch against the bark can trap moisture and contribute to decay.

Caring for Newly Planted Trees

New trees need consistent moisture until their root systems become established. Check the soil regularly and water deeply whenever the upper few inches begin to dry. Continue watering during dry fall weather and whenever the ground is not frozen.

Protect young trunks from deer rubbing, rabbits, and rodents when these animals are common in your area. A properly installed tree guard or wire cage can prevent serious winter damage.

Avoid heavy fertilization at planting time. The tree’s first priority should be establishing healthy roots rather than producing rapid top growth.

Choosing the Right Missouri Native Tree

Before selecting a tree, consider its mature height, canopy width, preferred soil moisture, and sunlight requirements. A moisture-loving river birch may thrive beside a stream but struggle on a dry hillside. An eastern red cedar can handle a rocky, exposed site that would be unsuitable for a flowering dogwood.

Planting the right species in the right location is one of the most important steps toward growing a healthy, long-lived tree.

Whether you choose a colorful redbud, wildlife-friendly oak, fruit-producing pawpaw, or dependable eastern red cedar, planting a Missouri native tree this fall can add beauty and ecological value to your property for decades to come. Native trees help conserve soil and water while improving habitat for Missouri wildlife.