One might cast an eye to the trees on one’s property and be left to wonder at what species they are. Or perhaps you have been curious as to why the White Pine is so steeped in Michigan history, or how many a tree is put down in your own backyard.

We of Adrian’s Tree Service make it our business to work with the trees of Southeast Michigan and put what we know to good use by sharing it. Being a local concern, we have over ten years under our belt in the service of Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Should any questions arise concerning the trees about your place, do not hesitate to call (313) 631-0808.

For now though, we would like to put forward some fun facts.

The Michigan State Tree

Most people will tell you it is just a White Pine, but the Eastern White Pine is in fact the state tree of Michigan. It has that title for a reason: there was a time in the logging era when its timber was instrumental in the making of homes and cities from here to anywhere, no small part of Michigan’s history.

Consider the following regarding the White Pine:

• Some of the old ones were in excess of 200 feet, making them the tallest in eastern North America.
• You will find the needles in fives, one for each letter of “white.”
• Under the right circumstances the tree can see several hundred years.
• There is a look to it year round thanks to soft blue-green needles.
• In colonial days the straightness of the trunk was valued for ship masts.
• Both the early settlers and Native Americans made practical use of the tree in various ways.

You will not find the great old-growth White Pines of yore; they were put to the axe long ago. Yet this is a tree that does well in Southeast Michigan and healthy examples are to be had in the parks, forests and yards of our service area.

A Surprising Amount of Diversity in Southeast Michigan

Homeowners are often taken aback to learn that close to 100 species of tree are found in the region we cover. The variety is such that the stock on your street could be nothing like what is a few miles off.

It is all due to the geography and soil types and climate of Michigan. A tree will do well near water while another wants something drier and higher up. This is what lends our landscapes their beauty come what season.

In and around Ann Arbor, Novi, Troy and West Bloomfield one is likely to come across:

• Maples for the best fall color in the state.
• Oaks and their acorns that are home to all manner of wildlife.
• Birches with the pale peeling bark you cannot miss.
• Beeches that do not let go of their coppery leaves until late in winter.
• White Pines and evergreens to see us through the cold.
• And then there are the ashes and cherries and others of the region.

What Tree Diversity Means for Your Property

Then there is the matter of keeping things in good health. A maple or oak is not going to want the same attention as a White Pine. To be in a position to decide on pruning or watering and the like you need to know what you are dealing with.

Arborists will tell you to plant a range of species and not put your whole yard to one kind of tree. If a pest or disease makes after a particular type, the rest of the landscape is not going to be lost in the process.

But with 100 odd species in the vicinity, diversity can make for difficult identification. Experience is of value in that regard.

Our Knowledge of the Region’s Trees

We have been at it for more than a decade in Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties and have a good working knowledge of the trees here, the towering White Pine included. We know how to look after them.

If the desire is to put a name to a tree or have a problem seen to, or even to find out what is on your land, we are on hand to help. Storms and the like do not observe regular hours so we provide 24/7 emergency service and free of charge estimates.

Next time you pass a White Pine and have a question about it, there is a local team at Adrian’s Tree Service to set you straight. Give us a ring at (313) 631-0808 and we will talk trees.