Michigan’s White Pine Forests, Part 2

As Westward Expansion was underway and the northeast forests were becoming depleted, the eyes of the wealthy"timber barons" and loggers turned to the Michigan forests, which were believed to be inexhaustible. In the early 1800s, about 90% of Michigan was forested, a great portion of that being the white pine.

In the later 1800s, white pine was the most desired species in the Great Lakes area, prized for its useful lumber and the fact that it was easily transported by waterways due to its low density (it floats!). The vast quantity of white pine in the upper portions of Michigan, combined with Michigan's intricate network of navigable rivers and proximity to the Great Lakes shipping channels, set Michigan up to be the leading producer of timber in the country for a great portion of the late 1800s. In fact, in 1880, Michigan forests produced more timber than the next three states combined.

Watch out for our next installment in the White Pine series coming up!! We're excited to share more of this rich history!

Written By Courtney Sexton