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How to Identify Trees Native to Michigan

According to Michigan State University, nearly half of the land area of Michigan is forested -- roughly 18 million acres. This forest provides a welcome habitat for wildlife and a suitable environment for a number of outdoor activities. A wide variety of trees are native to Michigan and more than 100 species are known to grow in the state. Species such as the paper birch, black ash, black maple and white spruce are examples of trees that are native to the state of Michigan.

Instructions

Paper Birch Tree
- 1
  Identify the paper birch tree, a native to Michigan, by first judging the size of the tree. Paper birch trees are small-to-medium sized and generally do not grow larger than 98 feet.
- 2
  Examine the leaves. The leaves of a paper birch tree are egg or triangle shaped. They are green in color, have rough edges and are approximately 3 inches long.
- 3
  Investigate the texture and color of the bark. The bark of the paper birch varies in color from a red-brown to white and is thin and papery with darker horizontal slits. The inner bark, which turns black as the tree ages, is initially an orange-red color.
Black Ash Tree
- 4
  Identify another native Michigan tree, the black ash, by first looking at the size. Black ash trees are slender and do not often grow higher than 50 feet or wider than 1 foot.
- 5
  Examine the surrounding area. Black ash trees tend to grow at swamp edges and along the banks of streams.
- 6
  Analyze the color of the bark. The black ash tree, contrary to its name, has gray bark. You can also judge the age of the tree because the bark becomes scaly over time.
Black Maple Tree
- 7
  Determine if the tree in question is a native black maple by first judging the size. Black maples are medium to tall trees and can grow up to 100 feet. The crown, or top, of the tree is generally quite dense.
- 8
  Examine the bark. Young black maples have smooth, dark gray bark. The bark of a black maple changes with age, similarly to the black ash tree, becoming furrowed and rough.
- 9
  Analyze the size, shape and color of the leaves. The black maple tree's leaves are wider and droopier than those of other maple trees. They can be varying shades of green and can be up to 4 inches, or more, in both length and width.
White Spruce Tree
- 10
  Consider the size when identifying a Michigan tree as a white spruce. White spruce trees can grow to more than 100 feet tall with a diameter of 24 inches.
- 11
  Scrutinize the needles of the tree. White spruce trees have blue-green needles that are just under an inch long. The needles have a waxy layer that tends to be whitish in color.
- 12
  Investigate the length of the cones. White spruce cones are light brown and between 2 and 3 inches long.

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