Michigan’s Giants: On the Hunt for the Tallest Tree in the Wolverine State

Michigan’s Giants: On the Hunt for the Tallest Tree in the Wolverine State

Michigan. Just the name conjures up images of sprawling forests and breathtaking natural beauty. And within those forests? A constant, exciting search: finding the tallest tree! You might think it’s a simple question with a simple answer, but trust me, it’s a bit more of an adventure than that.

The Champ: An Eastern White Pine Takes the Crown

As of a few years ago, the record-holder, the king of the canopy, is an Eastern White Pine. Picture this: it’s tucked away in the remote McCormick Wilderness of the Upper Peninsula. This isn’t some roadside attraction; it’s a true hidden gem. This giant was actually discovered by Nick Hansen, a stream ecologist. Can you imagine stumbling upon that? Then, Byron Sailor from the Michigan Botanical Club, a true tree expert, came along and confirmed its height: a whopping 155 feet! That’s taller than anything else we know of in the state. To put it in perspective, you could almost squeeze this tree under the Mackinac Bridge. Seriously impressive!

This isn’t just about height, though. This Eastern White Pine is a beast in all dimensions. It boasts a crown that spreads out 63 feet and a trunk you could barely wrap your arms around – over 15 feet in circumference! Being there, you almost feel like you’ve stepped back in time, back to the Michigan before anyone started building things.

The Michigan Big Tree Program: A Labor of Love

Now, how do we even keep track of these giants? That’s where the Michigan Botanical Club comes in. They run the Michigan Big Tree Program, a kind of official record book for the biggest trees of each species in the state. It all started way back in 1956 with Paul Thompson, a guy who was clearly passionate about trees. For 45 years, he documented over 4,000 of them! Today, volunteers continue his work, tracking down and certifying big trees all over Michigan. It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a way to preserve Michigan’s natural history. These trees are special. They have unique genes, and they show us just how big a tree can get. That makes them super valuable for understanding how to protect our forests and study climate change.

Other Contenders: It’s a Tall Order

Of course, the Eastern White Pine isn’t the only tall tree in town. A Blue Ash in Lenawee County hit 155 feet back in 1983, according to the Michigan Botanical Club. And there’s an American Elm in Wayne County that reached 146 feet, plus a Tuliptree (or Yellow Poplar) in Berrien County at 145 feet. The “tallest tree” title is always up for grabs. You never know when someone will discover a new giant or an existing tree will just keep growing! The Michigan Big Tree Program is constantly updating its records, so keep an eye out.

More Than Just Height: Size Matters

While height is cool, it’s not the whole story. The Michigan Big Tree Program also looks at how wide around a tree is (its girth) and figures out a total score based on height, girth, and how wide its crown spreads. The tree with the biggest huggable trunk? That’d be a Black Willow in Grand Traverse County, measuring a crazy 402 inches around!

Giant Sequoias in Michigan? Believe It!

Okay, so they’re not native, but you can actually find Giant Sequoias (yes, the California kind!) in a few spots in Michigan, like the Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary near Manistee. Someone planted one back in 1949, and it was over 100 feet tall last time anyone checked. There are also Dawn Redwoods, another type of Sequoia, planted around the state. It’s a little piece of California, right here in the Midwest.

Want to See Some Big Trees?

If you’re itching to see some of these giants for yourself, you’ve got options! Hartwick Pines State Park, near Grayling, has one of the last old-growth white pine forests in the Lower Peninsula. It’s like stepping back in time. Or, head up to Copper Harbor and check out the Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary, another spot with amazing old white pines. Just remember, be respectful of private property when you’re out exploring. And hey, the exact location of that tallest Eastern White Pine? It’s a secret, to keep it safe.

The Forest for the Trees

The search for Michigan’s tallest tree is more than just a fun fact. It’s a reminder of how incredible our forests are and how important it is to protect them. That Eastern White Pine in the U.P. is a symbol of what Michigan’s wilderness can be, and it inspires us to keep exploring and appreciating the natural wonders all around us.