“For those that don’t know, most of Lower Michigan’s forests were clearcut during the logging era, and that was about 1850 to 1910.” This logging era got underway just as the Erie Canal opened, and just as white settlers gained control of the land of Michigan from its indigenous people.
Is there deforestation in Michigan?
Michigan was once about 95% forested prior to Euro-American settlement. The two main causes of deforestation are agriculture and construction of towns and cities. Logging, fires, and pollution do not result in deforestation, at least not in Michigan.
How much of Michigan was forest?
53 percent
Michigan is a state rich in forest resources. Its 19.3 million acres of forest land cover 53 percent of the State, with 18.6 million considered timberland. Timberland acreage is the fifth largest in the United States.
When did logging stop in Michigan?
MICHIGAN FORESTS DURING THE LOGGING ERA
From about 1840 to 1900, most of the Michigan forests were cut down for farms and to produce lumber for buildings, ships, and mines. Michigan was the nation’s leading lumber producer between 1869 and 1900. In early days of logging, there were few roads.
Is there any old growth forest left in Michigan?
Only a fraction of the nearly 10 million trees once covering what is now Michigan exists today as old-growth forests like the beautifully serene Hartwick Pines near Grayling.
Was Michigan clear cut?
“For those that don’t know, most of Lower Michigan’s forests were clearcut during the logging era, and that was about 1850 to 1910.” This logging era got underway just as the Erie Canal opened, and just as white settlers gained control of the land of Michigan from its indigenous people.
Why are there so many dead trees in Michigan?
Currently there are a lot of dead and dying trees in our northern lowland areas of Michigan being impacted by spruce budworm followed by bark beetle activity. Sadly, invasive pest species rolling through our tree resources are also contributing to a large amount of the tree mortality we are seeing.
Is the US running out of trees?
A study published last year by the US Forest Service found that we lost 36 million trees annually from urban and rural communities over a five-year period.
Why does Michigan have so many pine trees?
“Lumberjacks, they kind of came from the eastern United States—logging was big there when the country was first colonized,” Pine said. “Really quickly, the trees get cut down, they make their way to Michigan, and we have these wonderful stands of old-growth White Pine.”
What is the biggest forest in Michigan?
The Manistee National Forest is a national forest located in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It has a total area of 540,187 acres (2,190 km2).
| Manistee National Forest | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43.85°N 85.95°W |
| Area | Total – 978,906 acres (3,960 km2) Huron – 438,584 acres (1,770 km2) Manistee – 540,322 acres (2,190 km2) |
How old are the trees in Michigan?
Age
| Nr | Tree species | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) | 351 ± 40 y |
| 2 | Quercus rubra (Northern Red Oak) | 313 ± 150 y |
| 3 | Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) | 281 ± 1 y |
| 4 | Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) | 272 ± 50 y |
Which area in Michigan has the greatest forest cover in terms of the percentage of the area?
The southern Lower Peninsula is the largest region with 14.8 million acres but only accounts for 18 percent of forests in Michigan. The northern Lower Peninsula accounts for 37 percent of Michigan’s forest land.
How old are the trees at Hartwick Pines?
In fact, Hartwick Pines’ 49-acre parcel of old-growth forest — a rarity in Michigan, and the park’s main attraction — is home to trees that are up to 400 years old.
Where is the oldest tree in Michigan?
Oldest trees: Cedars on South Manitou Island
“Since different tree species grow at different rates, you cannot simply assume that the largest tree is the oldest tree,” said David Price of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division.
Where is the oldest forest in Michigan?
This park includes one of the most-visited old-growth forests in the nation. Immediately behind the Michigan Forest Visitor Center is a paved 1.25 mile trail that leads through a 49-acre remnant of Michigan’s original forest.
Are there any old-growth forests in the US?
Nestled within a small 120-acre area of the Allegheny National Forest, some of the largest old-growth trees in North America grow alongside an easily accessible, one mile trail. The Heart’s Content Recreation Area is home to a white pine that is more than 900 cubic feet, as well as a 300-year-old hemlock and beech.
What percentage of the Upper Peninsula is forest?
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is 10.5 million acres. About 84% of that, or 8.8 million acres, is forested land. These lands are home to a variety of terrain, wildlife, water features, and timber types.
Does white pine make good lumber?
In addition to pine’s noteworthy strength and durability, the uniform texture of eastern white pine mills easily and holds finishes extremely well. These ideal material features make this particular variety of wood a great choice for not just log cabins, but interior décor and home accents as well.
How did the lumber industry start?
The logging industry began in 1607 when the Jamestown settlers cut down lumber to build the first settlement in the new world. It has not withered away over the centuries, in fact, the lumber industry in the United States is extremely important to our economy; consistently supplying lumber throughout the world.
What is killing the trees in Michigan?
Oak wilt disease is the No. 1 killer of oak trees in Michigan. For several years, this disease has continued to move through Michigan at an alarming rate — with April through July being the time of the year when oak trees are most at risk.
Why are pine trees in Michigan dying?
Sudden wilt and death of pines in Michigan and across the Midwest may have been the result of a disease caused by pinewood nematodes, (Bursaphelenchus xylophilis). This parasitic nematode most commonly attacks non-native pines, such as Scotch and Austrian.