Types of Trees in Michigan by Abby Neuens
Many people look outside each day, and they normally see trees. There are 23 main types of trees in Michigan, and they’re all unique. The top five trees are the Bigtooth Aspen, American Basswood, American Beech, Paper Birch, and Northern White Cedar.
The first tree species is the Bigtooth Aspen, which can grow from 49 to 98 feet tall. They can be identified by their oval shaped leaves with waxy tops and blunt teeth around the edges. Its bark is gray with deep valleys and bumps on the lower part of the tree. Its bark will turn white as it ages. Aspen wood is light in color and is mainly used for making paper and wood wool.
The next type of tree is the American Basswood, a massive tree. They can reach up to 100 feet. They’re recognizable with their large, heart-shaped leaves and flowers that open in late spring. Their bark is gray-brown and has narrow ridges. Its wood is used for woodcarving, boxes, veneer, and pulp. They are used in landscaping for their flowers, and beekeepers use them for their nectar.
The American Beech tree has smooth, thin gray bark and slightly toothed/ribbed oval leaves. Its leaves turn a bright yellow in Fall, but in Winter it can be recognized by its long, pointed Winter buds. It usually reaches between 50-70 feet tall and is used for fuel, flooring, tool handles, and woodenware.
The Paper Birch tree has long, curling, papery bark and are most commonly recognized by their uniquely beautiful bark patterns. Birch leaves are oval and turn yellow in the Fall. The leaves have jagged edges and come to a sharp point. It can grow up to 70 feet tall. Birch wood is used for flooring, furniture, and popsicle sticks. It is also used by indigenous communities to make baskets, canoes, baby carriers, and other containers.
The Northern White Cedar tree is an evergreen that grows in a narrow, pyramid shape. They have twisted trunks and flat, fan-shaped needles. They grow between 30-50 feet tall and are rot-resistant. They’re used for fence posts, shingles, outdoor furniture, and paper. Cedar is rich in vitamin C and was used to prevent scurvy by French sailors.
The many different types of trees in Michigan are both beautiful and useful. They have contributed to the many different products made in Michigan, and add beautiful colors to the landscape in the Fall.
The first tree species is the Bigtooth Aspen, which can grow from 49 to 98 feet tall. They can be identified by their oval shaped leaves with waxy tops and blunt teeth around the edges. Its bark is gray with deep valleys and bumps on the lower part of the tree. Its bark will turn white as it ages. Aspen wood is light in color and is mainly used for making paper and wood wool.
The next type of tree is the American Basswood, a massive tree. They can reach up to 100 feet. They’re recognizable with their large, heart-shaped leaves and flowers that open in late spring. Their bark is gray-brown and has narrow ridges. Its wood is used for woodcarving, boxes, veneer, and pulp. They are used in landscaping for their flowers, and beekeepers use them for their nectar.
The American Beech tree has smooth, thin gray bark and slightly toothed/ribbed oval leaves. Its leaves turn a bright yellow in Fall, but in Winter it can be recognized by its long, pointed Winter buds. It usually reaches between 50-70 feet tall and is used for fuel, flooring, tool handles, and woodenware.
The Paper Birch tree has long, curling, papery bark and are most commonly recognized by their uniquely beautiful bark patterns. Birch leaves are oval and turn yellow in the Fall. The leaves have jagged edges and come to a sharp point. It can grow up to 70 feet tall. Birch wood is used for flooring, furniture, and popsicle sticks. It is also used by indigenous communities to make baskets, canoes, baby carriers, and other containers.
The Northern White Cedar tree is an evergreen that grows in a narrow, pyramid shape. They have twisted trunks and flat, fan-shaped needles. They grow between 30-50 feet tall and are rot-resistant. They’re used for fence posts, shingles, outdoor furniture, and paper. Cedar is rich in vitamin C and was used to prevent scurvy by French sailors.
The many different types of trees in Michigan are both beautiful and useful. They have contributed to the many different products made in Michigan, and add beautiful colors to the landscape in the Fall.