Hardwoods of Oregon

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The two main types of trees in Oregon forests are conifers and hardwoods. Although there are actually more hardwood species (35) than conifer (30), conifers dominate Oregon forests. Conifers have needle- or scale-like leaves and bear seeds inside woody cones. Hardwoods are mostly broad-leaved and their seeds come from their flowers. This chart helps identify common conifers.
Red Alder Illustration
Red Alder
Alnus rubra

A hardwood 30 to 120 feet tall, the most common broadleaved tree in western Oregon
Common uses:
Furniture, pallets, wooden ware, plugs for paper rolls and toys
Alder Branch

 Bigleaf Maple Illustration
Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum

A hardwood 40 to 100 feet tall found commonly in western Oregon forests
Common uses:
Furniture, paneling, flooring and paint brush handles
Bigleaf Maple leaf
Cottonwood Illustration
Black Cottonwood
Populus trichocarpa

A large hardwood 100 to 200 feet tall found on moist sites along streams
Common uses:
Paper pulp, plywood cores, crates and toys
Cottonwood leaf

 White Oak Illustration
Oregon White Oak
Quercus garryana

A hardwood 60 to 80 feet tall most commonly found in the interior valleys between the Cascades and the Coast Range
Common uses:
Furniture, flooring and millwork
White Oak Leaf
Visit OFRI's Online Tree Guide
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