In this article, the practice and challenges of the standardization of French botanical names are assessed by comparing names from different nomenclatures that refer to the native trees of North America. A French standardized nomenclature is proposed, taking into account both the Latin scientific nomenclature and the French vernacular nomenclature. The following basic principles regarding name formation are first analyzed: the binomial nature of the name, its exclusivity, the correctness of its botanical meaning and its universality. Complementary principles such as the priority of an existing name over a newly formed one, and the application of major conceptual categories, such as morphology, similarity with another species, toponymy, ecology, anthroponymy and the use of the species, are also taken into consideration. Finally, an insight into the work that remains to be done in order to standardize the French species names for the whole tree flora of the world concludes this article.