The Great Lakes State sits along the northern border of the United States with Canada. Surrounded by the lakes from which it takes its name, it is not surprising Michigan has adopted the Eastern White Pine to represent the state. Native to regions in Canada, the Great Lakes, and the Appalachia, the Eastern White Pine is a large conifer, sometimes reaching heights well over 200 feet. Eastern White Pines are frequently aged at 250 years, but can easily live to well over 400.
Due to its large aquatic environment, cold temperatures, and heavy snow, the smart Michigan grower will need to consider the following:
- Climate
- Soil Type
- Average Precipitation
- Irrigation
- Growing Zones
- Weather Damage
Best Trees for Michigan
Read about the specifics for your state in the following sections. If you’re looking for some quick ideas on what to plant, consider the following trees as expert-tested and The Tree Center approved:
- Royal Empress Trees
Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.
- October Glory Maple
Ideal for continuous color, adaptable growing conditions, and landscaping designs.
- Everbearing Strawberry
Ideal for bearing fruit, providing color, and delicious, edible profits.
- Eastern Redbud
Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and adaptable qualities.
Fast Growing Privacy Trees in Michigan
As property in Michigan continues to be developed, land owners are searching for trees that will provide privacy from prying neighborly eyes and loud, unwanted noise. There are many fast growing privacy trees in Michgian, which will quickly grow after initial planting to offer your property and family long sought-after privacy.
The Thuja Green Giant, a staple of privacy trees throughout Michgian, is a fast-growing pine that will quickly provide a barrier between you and your neighbors. Growing between 3-5 feet a year, the Thuja Green Giant will offer your yard classic French design with minimal hassle. Alternatively, the Leyland Cypress and American Holly will also add color and privacy to your yard’s perimeter.
Climate
Michigan has two peninsulas: the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is has typically milder seasons, with hot summers and cold winters. The northern portion of the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula have more extreme weather, typified by heave snow, freezing temperatures, and shorter summers. These cold winters often linger below zero for days, with the record set at -51°F. Although the summers are usually in the mid-80s, temperatures in the southern regions of the Lower Peninsula can get quite hot, with the record high set at 112°F in 1936.
Soil Type
Most trees require well-drained soil rich with minerals to grow. Michigan is characterized by Kalkaska soil, first described in 1927. The soil covers over 750,000 acres of Michigan land, and is sandy in nature, best used for growing timber, potatoes, and strawberries. Regardless of the property’s location in The Great Lakes State, a soon-to-be tree planter can perform a simple test to determine his/her soil type.
The squeeze test is a tool pedologists (soil scientists) use to determine the type of soil in a given area. Remove the first layer of soil and grab a handful of damp (but not wet) dirt. Then, squeeze the soil in the palm of your hand. When you open your hand, the results will help you to determine your specific type of soil.
1. The squeezed soil holds its squeezed shape. If you poke it, the soil will still hold its squeezed shape. You have CLAY
2. The squeezed soil holds its squeezed shape. However, when you poke it the squeezed soil collapses. Congratulations, you have LOAM.
3. The soil collapses as soon as you open your hands. You have SAND.
Once you know what soil type you have, you can find trees best suited to the dirt’s properties. Loam is the best soil to have, as its unique qualities make it ideal for holding and transferring water to trees.
Average Precipitation
Michigan only receives about 35 inches of rainfall annually on average, though this is usually plenty for the crops and livestock raised in the area. What Michigan receives in annual rainfall is by far outdone in snowfall, with the state receiving, on average, 160 inches of snow a year. Snow falls for a longer time and with a greater quantity in the northern regions of the Upper Peninsula, though areas in the southernmost regions of the Lower Peninsula will receive plenty as well. Michigan averages approximately 30 thunderstorms a year, slightly below the national average.
Irrigation
Michigan receives sporadic rainfall, with most of the state’s annual 35 inches falling in the spring and summer. Irrigation can be an effective way to ensure adequate water is available to trees and plants all year long. Installing a simple sprinkler or drip irrigation system can mean the difference to a newly planted tree, which will require consistent and controlled access to water to ensure successful rooting and growth. Certain varieties of trees will also fare better with a reliable watering system.
Growing Zones
Michigan’s unique geography deeply impact the variety of growing zones in the state. A growing zone simply refers to the USDA’s determination of areas where certain plants are most likely to thrive, preferring to focus on minimal temperature ranges in which a plant can survive. Michigan has eight distinct growing zones, some of which cover only a few acres of land in the state. The growing zones move in bands inland, with the coldest temperatures at the center of each peninsula. On the Lower Peninsula, temperatures can drop as low as -35°F in the north central areas of the peninsula, near Gaylord. On the outskirts of the Lower Peninsula, both northwards toward the coast and southwards toward Indiana and Ohio, temperatures will only drop to -10°F in places; although, most of the region experiences temperatures down as low as -15° to -20°F in zones 5b and 5a. The Upper Peninsula is similarly banded, though the coldest region is southwest of the Ottawa National Forest, where temperatures can drop as low as -40°F.
Weather Damage
Michigan does receive severe weather, such as thunderstorms, heavy snowfall, and tornadoes. Heavy snow affects most of the state, with the lake-effect causing most snow to fall in regions surrounding the Great Lakes. Although the number of thunderstorms is below the national average, they can be quite severe in the south, often accompanied by flash floods. The southern parts of the state also see severe tornadoes. In some regions of the south, tornadoes are frequent. Planting trees near powerlines or buildings can increase the risk, so be sure to plant them far away. Trees can also assist in protection from erosion, so if flooding is a risk, plant trees with strong roots on banks of rivers or streams.
