Michigan Native Trees

Michigan

The Great Lakes State, 'If you seek

pleasant penninsula,

look about you'

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Native Trees of Michigan

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-Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered

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Tree lists:
•A-Z by scientific
name
•A-Z by common
name
•By Family

For state A-Z list click state name below.

State Tree: Eastern White Pine

The forests of Michgan cover over 50%
the state and harbor a rich diversity thanks to the multitude of habitats. The most heavily forest area is the northern peninsula, where vast stretches of forest encompass more than 80% of the land area. Michigan is actually ranked in the top 10 most forested states in all of the USA. Previous to European settlement, it is estimated the forests comprised 90-95% of the land area. With so much readily available to harvest, it is no wonder so much of the timber used to reconstruct Chicago after the great fire came from the forests of Michigan.

Maples are the most abundant tree species found in the state, especially in the northern half. The tallest tree currently in Michigan is actually a red maple, claiming the title after an old growth eastern white pine fell. Red and eastern white pines can be found in the southern half where the forests change from northern hardwood type to old growth pine forests. Threats to the forests are Birch bark disease, emerald ash borer (EAB), and hemlock wooly adelgid. Foresters are closely monitoring the spread of these as the potential for significant forest damage is high. Remember, never transport firewood! The insect pests love to hide in it and hitch a ride!

• Michigan Native Trees A to Z

• Michigan Tree Facts

• Michigan Tree Families and Species

• Endangered/Threatened Species

• Tree Nurseries in Michigan

Michigan Native Tree Facts

Forested acres: 20 million
Percent of total area forested: 53%
Predominant Forest Type(s): Sugar maple-beech-yellow birch, hard maple-basswood, northern white cedar, red pine
Number of National Forests: 3
Number of State Forests: 28
Number of Tree city USA communities: 120
Number of invasive tree species: 4 (see state list for noxious/invasive plants)
Insects of Concern: Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Balsam Wooly adelgid
Pathogens of Concern: Sudden Oak Death, Beech Bark Disease
Number or Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species: 5
Number of tree families in our collection: 25

Sources:
Arborday.org
US Forest Service
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
United States Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services: PLANTS Database

Additional state resources:
Michigan State Parks and Trails
University of Michigan Extension Service

Michigan Native Tree Families and Genera

Useful information while browsing species:

• How to read a botanical name

• How to use our species boxes:

Additional Resources:

North American Native Tree Families
North American A to Z List by Scientific Name
North American A to Z List by Common Name

click to enlarge.

-Color denotes a tree that is rare or endangered

Please note: This is not a complete list of all native tree families and species found in Michigan. We are constantly working towards a more comprehensive list and will add families and their species as completed.

Follow the links to view species native to Michigan. If the genus is not linked, species are listed on the family page.

Aceraceae, Maple
Anacardiaceae, Sumac
    Rhus, Sumac
    Toxicodendron, Poison Sumac
Annonaceae, Custard-Apple
Betulaceae, Birch
    Betula, Birch
    Carpinus, Hornbeam
Corylus, Hazelnut
    Ostrya, Hophornbeam
Bignoniaceae, Trumpet Creeper
Caprifoliaceae, Honeysuckle
Cornaceae, Dogwood
    Cornus, Dogwood
    Nyssa, Tupelo
Cupressaceae- Cypress
    Juniperus, Juniper
    Thuja, Arborvitae

Fabaceae, Pea
   Gleditsia, Locust
Fagaceae, Beech
    Quercus, Oak
Hamamelidaceae, Witch-hazel
Hippocastanaceae, Horse-chestnut
Juglandaceae, Walnut
    Carya, Hickory
    Juglans, Walnut
Lauraceae, Laurel
Magnoliaceae, Magnolia
Moraceae, Mulberry
   Morus, Mulberry
Oleaceae, Olive
    Fraxinus, Ash
Pinaceae, Pinus
    Abies, Fir
    Pinus, Pine

Platanaceae, Plane-tree
    Platanus, Sycamore
Rosaceae, Rose
    Crataegus, Hawthorn
Rubiaceae, Madder
Rutaceae, Rue
Salicaceae, Willow
    Populus, Cottonwood
    Salix, Willow
Tiliaceae, Lindon
    Tilia, Basswood
Ulmaceae, Elm
    Celtis, Hackberry
    Ulmus, Elm

Native plant species considered rare in Michigan meet one or

more of the following state categories based on biological

research and/or inventory:

• Threatened- T- any species which is likely to become an endangered

species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion

of its range.

Michigan Endangered or Threatened Tree Species

Additional Resources:

North American Rare and Endangered Trees

External Links:
USDA PLANTS Database
Full Michigan Rare Plant List

Looking for a nursery near you?
Check out our nursery listing by county below!

Sorry, we do not currently have any tree nursery listings for this state. We do update these lists, so please check back.

A firmaret radicem amittere possit foliis in vento et triturabis bacchatur durante tempestas, sed supersit quia est flexibilis. Talis est vita.

• Endangered- E- any species of fish, plant life, or wildlife that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of its

range, other than a species of insecta determined by the department or the secretary of the United States department of the interior

to constitute a pest whose protection under this part would present an overwhelming and overriding risk to humans.

Tree species with status present in Michigan (see related links for full list):

Special Concern:

Betula murrayana- Murray Birch

Betula populifolia- Gray Birch

Crataegus douglasii- Douglas Hawthorn

Euonymus atropurpurea- Burningbush, Wahoo

Quercus shumardii- Shumard Oak

Viburnum prunifolium- Blackhaw

Threatened:

Fraxinus profunda (Bush) Bush- Pumpkin Ash

Morus rubra L.- Red Mulberry

Salix planifolia Pursh- Diamondleaf Willow

Endangered:
Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.- American chestnut
Populus heterophylla L.- Swamp cottonwood

Eastern White Pine is the state tree of several states. Michigan made it theirs in 1955. Of all the native conifers calling eastern North America home, this tree is the tallest. It towers at 150 feet and lives as long as 450 years- sometimes longer. It most likely used to grow even taller and older before the colonist arrived.
Eastern white pine's bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming broken into small plates when mature. The root system is deep, 40 inches or so, with spreading laterals and has no distinct tap root. The needles are 3-5 inches long, bundled in 5's and dark green. They are soft, flexible, and persist to the

Photo citation: Robert H. Mohlenbrock USDA NRCS 1995. Northeast wetland flora; Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester

the second year. Beginning at age 5-10, curved, 4-8 inch long spine free cones start growing. Male strobili open and disperse pollen from April to June, depending on location. It will take 2

years for cones to mature. Seeds are typical of pines in their small size, .08 inches, brown color and single winged. Dispersal is from August to September.
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