Suggestions for Fellow Tree Huggers

It was on my vision board to get to California and be amongst the giant Sequoia Trees. While that did not happen, I found, in Michigan, the world’s largest Sequoia outside California – The Champion found at Lake Bluff Farms, just north of Manistee.

If you, too, are looking to enjoy trees, here are four destination suggestions ranging from ancient, untouched forests to resilient dune-dwellers. Read on to see what makes their canopies so special:

Warren Woods State Park

Warren Woods is legendary among ecologists because it contains the last known climax beech-maple forest in Michigan that has never been logged. Walking through here is like stepping back in time; the massive American Beech and Sugar Maple trees create a dense, cathedral-like canopy that blocks out most direct sunlight. Because the forest is so old, you’ll see spectacular examples of "wolf trees" and a forest floor rich with specialized fungi that thrive on the ancient decaying wood.

Sarett Nature Center

The tree life at Sarett is defined by its diverse wetland ecosystems, particularly its hardwood swamps and fens. As you traverse the boardwalks, you’ll encounter Tamaracks (one of the few deciduous conifers that turn gold and drop their needles in the fall) and various species of  Elm. The center’s unique topography allows you to see how different trees adapt to "wet feet," with Buttonbush and Red-osier Dogwood filling in the understory beneath the water-tolerant canopy.

Grand Mere State Park

Grand Mere offers a fascinating lesson in ecological succession. On the edge of the shifting sand dunes, you’ll find hardy pioneers like Eastern Cottonwoods and Jack Pines that struggle against the wind and moving sand. Moving further inland to the ancient, stabilized dunes, the environment shifts dramatically into a lush "trough" forest where massive Red Oaks and Hemlocks provide a cool, dark contrast to the bright, sun-scorched beach just a few hundred yards away.

Love Creek County Park

Love Creek is a favorite for those who love the diversity of a rolling upland forest. The park is dominated by towering Tulip Trees (identifiable by their distinct tulip-shaped leaves and straight trunks) and a variety of Maples and Oaks. In the spring, the sparse early canopy allows enough light for a carpet of wildflowers to bloom, while in the winter, the evergreen stands of Spruce and Pine provide essential cover for local wildlife and a scenic backdrop for cross-country skiers.

Did you know we have Red Woods, too? I found one in a park in Holland, MI.