The Top 3 Most Common Trees Found in All of Iowa
Iowa is a state with around 3 million acres of forest. While that may sound like a lot, it's actually quite the opposite. According to Stacker, Iowa ranks 46 out of the 50 states in terms of forest cover. Currently, only around 8.4% of the Hawkeye State is covered by trees. Only Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota have fewer.
The main reason for Iowa's lack of trees is agricultural, as more than 85% of the state is considered farmland. With that being said, Iowa still has four major forests found within its borders. These include the Loess Hills State Forest in West Central Iowa, The Shimek State Forest in Southeast Iowa, Stephens State Forest in South Central Iowa, and the Yellow River State Forest in Northeast Iowa.
But which trees are the most abundant in the state anyway? Here's a look at the top 3.
Silver Maple
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): Common along waterways and lowlands due to its fast growth and tolerance of wet soils.
Bur Oak
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa): Known for its dominance in prairie ecosystems.
Eastern Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides): Often found in floodplains and areas between rivers and plains.
Some of the other common trees found in Iowa include: Hickory (common in Iowa's upland woodlands), Elm (scattered throughout the entire state), and Huckleberry (Also found in every corner of Iowa).
To learn more about which states have the most (and least) forest in the United States, check out the article from Stacker.
Story Sources: Stacker Website, Living History Farms, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Website
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