The United States’ national tree is the oak, and its national floral emblem is the rose. They are separate national-symbol designations: the rose’s exact legal title is “national floral emblem,” while the oak is designated the national tree.
Which plants represent the United States?
The oak and rose represent the country in different categories. The Congressional Research Service’s September 4, 2025 overview lists the oak as the national tree and the rose as the national floral emblem. These designations are among congressional national-symbol designations codified in Title 36 of the U.S. Code. Read the Congressional Research Service overview.
When did the rose become the national floral emblem?
Congress designated the rose in Public Law 99-449, approved October 7, 1986. The law states: “That the flower commonly known as the rose is designated and adopted as the national floral emblem of the United States of America.” Read Public Law 99-449.
Smithsonian Gardens also describes Congress’s 1986 adoption and President Ronald Reagan’s signing of the measure in its educational account, “Picking the National Flower: A Primary Source Investigation.”
#1 Best Overall
- Provides stunning fall foliage with vibrant red and orange leaves
- A fast-growing tree that offers plenty of shade, perfect for summer heat
- Red Oak acorns are a great food source for wildlife
- Durable hardwood that can be used for furniture and flooring
- An impressive, majestic tree that adds beauty and value to your landscape
What is known about the oak’s designation?
The Congressional Research Service confirms that the oak is the national tree, but the available overview does not establish when that designation was made or explain an official reason for choosing oak. It is best to state the designation without assigning it a date or rationale.
Why are oaks important beyond their national-symbol role?
Oaks have ecological and historical significance independent of their designation. The National Park Service describes acorns as an important food source across human history and explains how oak canopies support wildlife, including caterpillars eaten by migrating birds. Those natural-history connections add context, but they do not establish why the oak was selected as the national tree. Explore the National Park Service’s oak profile.
Rank #2
- Provides stunning fall foliage with vibrant red and orange leaves
- A fast-growing tree that offers plenty of shade, perfect for summer heat
- Red Oak acorns are a great food source for wildlife
- Durable hardwood that can be used for furniture and flooring
- An impressive, majestic tree that adds beauty and value to your landscape
How to explore these plants
The national designations identify symbols; they are not a guide to identifying an individual tree or flower. If you want to learn to recognize plants outdoors, use a tree and plant field guide to compare features such as leaves, flowers, and other identifying details. For oaks, observing leaves and acorns can be a starting point; for roses, look at the flower and the plant’s other visible features.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Thrives in wetter soil conditions, making it ideal for wet and moist landscapes
- Has a striking appearance with a beautiful grayish-white bark and vibrant green leaves
- Grows into a large, majestic tree that provides excellent shade and beauty
- Acorns from the tree attract wildlife, adding a natural touch to your yard
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types, making it a versatile addition to your garden
Rank #4
- 🍁 Stunning Red Fall Color: Produces rich red foliage in autumn—adds bold seasonal beauty and curb appeal to any landscape.
- 🌳 Fast Growing Shade Trees: Quickly develops into large, stately trees—perfect for creating shade, privacy, and long-term value. Good in Zones 3-10
- 📦 Value 3-Pack for Planting Projects: Includes three live trees—ideal for lining driveways, property borders, or creating a small grove.
- ❄️ Hardy & Long-Lived Native Tree: A durable North American native that thrives in a wide range of climates and soil conditions.
Rank #3
- Abundant Seed Collection: This package includes 285 premium mixed tree rose seeds, providing you with an extensive quantity to create a stunning display of colorful roses throughout your garden, patio, or outdoor living spaces
- Multi-Color Variety: Experience a vibrant spectrum of rose colors in your garden with this diverse seed mix, allowing you to cultivate a beautiful array of blooming rose trees that add visual interest and natural beauty to any landscape
- Hardy & Resilient: These rose tree seeds are specially selected for their durability and adaptability, making them suitable for various growing conditions and capable of thriving in different climates while maintaining their ornamental appeal
- Long-Blooming Performance: Enjoy extended flowering periods throughout the growing season with these rose seeds that produce continuous blooms, ensuring your garden remains colorful and attractive for months on end
- Versatile Planting Options: Perfect for multiple gardening applications including home gardens, container pots, balconies, and outdoor decorative arrangements, these seeds offer flexibility in creating your ideal floral display wherever space permits
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