FG-0059 · Wild Plants · 6 species
Identifying Trees in Michigan
By Derek Gauger · Updated
Overview
Michigan's northern hardwood and pine forests define the state, from the fabled white pines to fall-blazing maples and paper birches. A few leaf and bark clues name most of what you see.
This guide covers common and iconic Michigan trees — how to tell them apart by leaf, bark, and habit. Pair it with a photo of the leaf or bark and the app to confirm any tree you find.
Key species to know
FG-0059.01
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
The Michigan state tree — a tall, soft-needled pine with needles in bundles of five and long, slender cones. The lumber tree that built the state.
Habitat: Mixed forests, old fields, and lakeshores.
FG-0059.02
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
A hardwood with five-lobed leaves that blaze orange and red in fall, and the source of maple syrup. Smooth gray bark furrows with age.
Habitat: Rich upland forests and woodlots statewide.
FG-0059.03
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
A slender tree with peeling, chalky-white bark and small toothed leaves that turn yellow in fall. A signature tree of the north woods.
Habitat: Cool forests, clearings, and lakeshores.
FG-0059.04
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
An adaptable maple with three-to-five-lobed toothed leaves, red twigs and buds, and reliably scarlet fall color. Red flowers appear before the leaves.
Habitat: Swamps, uplands, and disturbed woods.
FG-0059.05
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
A hardwood with smooth, gray "elephant-skin" bark and oval, toothed leaves that fade to pale tan and often hang on through winter.
Habitat: Mature hardwood forests and shaded slopes.
FG-0059.06
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
A large oak with glossy, bristle-tipped lobed leaves that turn russet-red in fall and dark bark with pale "ski-trail" ridges.
Habitat: Upland forests, parks, and suburbs.
Through the seasons
- Fall: sugar maple, red maple, and birch light up the north woods in late September and October.
- Winter: white birch bark and smooth gray beech bark stand out in the bare forest.
- Summer: white pine gives the skyline its tall, soft-green crowns.
Questions
- What is the state tree of Michigan?
- The eastern white pine — the towering conifer at the center of Michigan's 19th-century lumber history.
- How can I identify a tree in Michigan?
- Note the leaf shape, bark, and overall form, then take a photo of the leaves or bark and use an app like Spotter to confirm the species.
From Field Notes
Not sure what you found?
Take a photo with Spotter for the name, field marks, look-alikes and safety notes in seconds.
In this guide
- Species
- 6
- Region
- Michigan