Michigan has a lot less diversity among tree species now than it did 200 years ago according to a Virginia Tech study.

Dr. Carolyn Copenheaver led the study, which used botanical survey records from the 1800s to analyze changes in midwestern biodiversity across centuries.

Michigan is one of the states found to have a huge change in biodiversity. It’s biodiversity dropped significantly since the early 19th century, as land rich in tree species were developed for agricultural or urban use.

Dr. Copenheaver says local governments can look to the historical land survey records used in her study to create conservation and restoration guidelines. 

Also among the states with the greatest drops in biodiversity is Wisconsin.

Gina Smith of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education is working with youth to combat the issue. In a lesson plan designed for fifth graders, students measure tree trunk size and observe species richness in the trees around their schools. 

“They also explore the species that they are, and they look and analyze: do we have a diverse forest here? If we don’t, what are suggestions that we could provide people in our community for trees that they could plant so that we have a more diverse forest in our urban area?”

Gina Smith hopes the next generation will continue to fight for more biodiversity in their communities.

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

A nearly 300-year-old bur oak at Detroit’s Elmwood Cemetery is being mourned after a powerful storm caused serious damage to the historic tree.

The tree was one of 19 trees lost at the cemetery when a tornado went through Detroit’s east side last month.

Officials say strong winds caused widespread damage. The historic bur oak suffered a large, irreparable split at the base of its trunk.

The tree was believed to be about 280 years old, meaning it was already roughly a century old when Elmwood Cemetery was established.

The cemetery held a memorial service for the tree, led by death and grief doula Kristy Sue Bishop.

Bishop says that natural spaces can be very important for people going through sadness or grief.

“I know many people come here and carry heavy feelings, and I think the trees are just one of the natural things people turn to when they’re feeling overwhelmed, she says.

Detroiter Josh Bono says he was immediately drawn to the bur oak. “I was amazed to find out that it’s older than the cemetery itself. I felt really moved by an ancient presence…or as close to one as we can get out here.”

Elmwood is an 86-acre cemetery and arboretum. Officials say replacing lost trees and caring for damaged ones has become an increasing part of maintaining the grounds.

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources announced the 2025 discovery of a centuries-old stand of red pine trees last week.

The trees, which can be identified by their scaly, reddish-brown bark, were discovered during a routine survey of the state-owned forest near the Two-Hearted River on the shore of Lake Superior.

This discovery comes as a surprise, as most of Michigan’s known red pines were harvested during the lumber boom of the 1800s.

Core samples taken from some of the trees point to them being over 200 years old. Visual estimates for other trees, however, suggest they may be between 300 and 400 years old, pre-dating European settlement in the area.

The forester that found the area calls the stand of red pines “Ghost on the Shore.”

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

The City of Warren has planted its first micro forest as part of an effort to increase the tree canopy in the city.   

Warren Mayor Lori Stone says the community rallied for more greenery in the city.

“Warren only had about 19% tree canopy, some of the lowest in Metro Detroit and Macomb County. And so, when I started out, we did a listening tour to really look at what our communities’ expectations were, and environmental sustainability was a priority,” she says.

Stone says residents want leadership to grow the city’s tree canopy, restore natural habitats, and protect green spaces.

One of those projects was a micro forest created at the Warren Community Center’s courtyard. The project received $30,000 from Green Macomb.

“I’m excited to tout that we planted our first microforest at Julius Park Circle, which is over 5,000 plants from different canopy levels, forest levels, and that was in partnership with a 4-H students, a community organization,” she shares.

Stone says Warren’s Department of Public Works also plants roughly 400 trees on easements annually, additional to the city distributing 200 saplings as part of our Arbor Day and Earth Day initiatives.

“It’s very important in order to grow tree canopy, in order to create those green spaces, … and provide natural spaces to encourage that local residents are also planting trees and providing those opportunities,” she explains.

Warren is also a part of the Rain to Roots program with Center Line, Sterling Heights, supported by the DTE Foundation, to help homeowners install rain gardens, rain barrels and native plants for stormwater management. 

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.