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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seasonal Guide
- 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.
Safety Reminder
This is an identification guide only — it does not cover edibility or foraging. Observe trees without damaging bark or breaking limbs, and stay on established trails.
Identify it instantly
Found something and not sure what it is? Point your camera with Spotter and get a species identification in seconds — with detailed reference info and species notes.