Ever since the French settled in Michigan during the 17th century, logging has been an important industry in northern Michigan. The most sought after tree at the time was the white pine for its beauty and its ease at which could be worked with. Salvage Michigan looks to recycle beautiful and historic white pine to preserve Michigan’s rich history in logging.

History

Logging in Michigan began with the French building forts, fur-trading posts, and missions. The plethora of lumber in Michigan made the state the leading producer of lumber. By 1880, Michigan was producing as much lumber as the three next logging states combined. Workers from all across the country flocked to the Great Lake State to get their stake in this booming industry. The logging railroad, introduced in the 1850s, made the transportation process much easier. Instead of horses and mules moving the logs, railroads could ship the lumber faster and in any weather condition. Many made fortunes from Michigan’s logging industry.

Types of Lumber

In Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, there are mostly hardwood trees compared to the northern half of the Lower Penninsula. Also, The Northern half has mostly pine trees, which are great for working with. In the Upper Penninsula, there is a mix of pine and hardwood trees that makes the region a logging destination. Types of lumber in Michigan include ash, basswood, beech, birch, cherry, hickory, hard and soft maple, walnut, white and red oak lumber. Northern Hardwoods is the largest forest type in the state by area percentage at 25%. However, Aspen, mixed upland hardwoods, oak-hickory, and swamp hardwoods all cover around 12% each.

Michigan Logging Today

Sources

“A Brief History of Lumbering in Michigan.” Michigan History, www.michigan-history.org/lumbering/LumberingBriefHistory.html.

MSU Forestry Extension Team. “Forest Types of Michigan: What Is a Forest Type? (E3202-1).” MSU Extension, www.canr.msu.edu/resources/forest_types_of_michigan_what_is_a_forest_type_e3202_1.