Raleigh's Tree of the Year Program

2025 Tree of the Year

Congratulations to Raleigh's 2025 Tree of the Year

From the nominator:
Dawn Redwood, nominated by the Lorray and Vogler Family. Located in SW Raleigh near Lake Johnson within the Cardinal Hills neighborhood at 5014 Dunbar Road. This tree was planted by the Whitford Family circa 1990. Around 100ft tall. 13ft circumference at chest height. Still growing. This is one of two dawn redwoods flanking the home. The pair is affectionately called “The Guardian Sisters". This is the "bigger sister" of the two. Fluted trunk and undulating roots, feathery leaves, stunning copper color in Autumn.

2024 Tree of the Year

From the nominator:
This native flowering dogwood "Caroline" growing in Windemere Beaver Dam Park. Resides on Nottingham near Leonard and is a stunning tree when in full bloom.

2023 Tree of the Year

From the nominator:
Red lace-leaf Japanese Maple at the JC Raulston Arboretum. - Acer palmatum Dissectum Atropurpureum Group - This tree is the emblem of the JC Raulston Arboretum

2022 Tree of the Year

From the nominator:
Nestled between Park Shops and Page Hall on NC State’s campus, a ginkgo tree — lovingly dubbed “The Tree” by students — has captured the hearts of the Wolfpack with its magnificent fall transformation. (A tree with a cult following? Color us surprised.)