Driving through Michigan in the autumn season may be one of the world's most beautiful natural sights. Forests now cover about 53% of Michigan, but massive maples, pines, and oaks once covered up to 95% of the land prior to European settlement. After losing nearly all of the state's trees, the last hundred years have seen much effort in restoring the lost trees, which has been successful to an extent.
Between 2001 and 2024, 695 kilohectares (kha) were lost, equivalent to 186 metric tons (Mt) of CO2. 6.5% of this loss resulted in deforestation. While the state fortunately gained 532 kha of tree cover between 2000 and 2020, the current net gain may not be enough to make up for the severe deforestation done in the past.
When settlers arrived in the land, they were drawn to Michigan's hundreds of billions of board-feet of pine and hardwood trees, and the lumber boom soon began. The European settlers cut down so many of the trees that only 6 billion board-feet were left. Later, the people attempted to farm over these lands, necessitating burning in order to cultivate the land. The burning, as well as the cinders of new locomotives, resulted in forest fires which burned another 73 billion board-feet.
According to the Global Forest Watch, the major drivers of deforestation in Michigan include permanent agriculture, hard commodities, infrastructure, and settlements. Logging and wildfire also continue to disrupt major tree coverage. In some cases, like with outbreaks of disease in plants and wildlife, some tree removal may be necessary, but the ones to benefit most from the cutting of much of Michigan's trees are private landowners and those with commercial interests.
Many organizations in Michigan are concerned with our old forests and the health of our environment. University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability ceremoniously planted six trees in Newcomb in November of 2023. Norup International Schools partnered up with Michigan United Conservation Clubs to lead kids in planting 35 bur oak trees in June of 2024. Environment Michigan gets involved by campaigning for policy to protect millions of acres of Michigan's old forests from logging.