There are approximately 70 to 75 tree species that are native to Michigan. The exact number of species can vary slightly based on the authority consulted, as botanists occasionally disagree about the classification of some. Scientists also reclassify species on occasion and the ranges of different species can change over time.
Nevertheless, the following species are generally considered to be Michigan natives and represent the tree species Longtree Tree Services specializes in caring for.
Most conifers native to Michigan have needle- or scale-like leaves, produce cones (though some appear like berries), and retain their foliage all year long (they’re evergreen).
Michigan’s broadleaf trees have wide leaves, and many produce showy fruit or flowers. The vast majority of broadleaved trees in Michigan are deciduous, meaning that they shed their leaves in the winter.
The Michigan we all know and love wouldn’t be the same without the state’s incredible collection of native tree species. They not only carpet our home state in acre after acre of beautiful forest, but they also provide a wealth of benefits, from reducing traffic noise to absorbing excess runoff water to keeping our homes cooler in the summer.
Michigan’s native trees also help support our region’s local wildlife. Red cedars and black spruces provide protected nesting locations for birds, while the many hickory and oak species in our area help keep squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and other critters well-fed throughout the cold winter. Our trees even continue supporting the surrounding ecosystem after they’ve died, as many serve as homes for birds, rodents, and other animals.
Given all the services Michigan’s native tree species provide, it’s important that you select tree-care professionals like Longtree Tree Service who understand their biology and needs.
While Michigan’s native tree species are all valuable, they all require different types of care. You can’t prune an oak tree the same way (or at the same time) you would a hemlock. They have different needs, warrant different pruning practices, and are susceptible to different diseases.
Even very closely related species can require dramatically different care and management techniques.
For example, we may recommend going to great lengths to preserve a 100-year-old sugar maple tree, as it may live for another century or two. Meanwhile, we may compassionately suggest that your 60-year-old silver maple is nearing the end of its lifespan and best removed and replaced.
But rest assured that the tree-care professionals at Longtree Tree Services have the knowledge and skill to care for your native trees in the best manner possible.
It’s important to note that trees do not “heal.” Tree wounds last for as long as the tree remains standing. The only way trees can help to protect themselves is by trying to seal off the wounded area (a process called “compartmentalization”) and grow around it.
This means that the wounds caused by the use of climbing spikes or poor pruning practices will often continue to threaten a tree’s health, structural integrity, and safety for decades. That’s part of the reason that we only use non-invasive tree-care techniques, which are consistent with the best practices as established by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Among other things, this means we use the proper pruning tools for every cut, exercise care when working around a tree’s critical root zone (CRZ), and never use spikes when climbing trees.
We don’t only help local residents care for the native trees already growing on their property, we are also happy to provide recommendations for businesses and homeowners interested in installing new trees. And because native species are almost always the best option, our recommendations will generally feature trees that call Michigan home.
So, whether you are seeking more shade for your yard, color for your garden, or fresh fruit for your kitchen, our knowledgeable arborists can provide you with species recommendations that are likely to work well in the specific area you have in mind.
We can also provide recommendations for customers who need replacement recommendations following tree removal.
While native species make up the bulk of the trees found on Michigan properties, many nonnative species are also common to the state. Some are planted deliberately as ornamentals, while others are invasive species, which tend to pop up on their own.
In either case, Longtree Tree Service can help provide the care and maintenance these trees require too. Whether you need a desirable nonnative species pruned or a harmful invasive species removed, we can help with all of your tree-care needs.
A few of the most common nonnative tree species found growing in Michigan include:
Since 2019, Longtree Tree Services has been providing communities across Michigan with professional tree care services. Our experienced staff has the knowledge and skill to provide any tree services you may require, from installation to routine pruning to crane-assisted removals, and we always provide these services with an unwavering commitment to our customers’ satisfaction.
