Southeast Michigan Tree Species Guide

As Michiganders, we’re fortunate to live alongside a variety of wonderful trees, including species that are historically native to our area, as well as a few non-native species that are commonly planted across the region. 

To help you choose the best species you can add to your property or identify some of the trees you already have, we’ll share a list of the most noteworthy species from both categories below.  

Trees Native to Southeast Michigan

Southeast Michigan is home to at least 65 native tree species, though the precise figure depends on the authority consulted and your definition of “tree,” as the line between a large “shrub” and a small “tree” is inherently fuzzy. 

Native Michigan Conifers

Conifers are cone-bearing trees that typically produce needle- or scale-like leaves. Most native Michigan conifers are evergreen, though the tamarack is actually deciduous and sheds its needles each winter. 

1. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
2. Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
3. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
4. Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
5. Tamarack (Larix laricina)

Native Michigan Broadleaf Trees

Broadleaf trees have wide, flat leaves and produce seed-bearing fruits. The majority of broadleaf species in our area are deciduous, though there are a few rare exceptions. 

1. White Oak (Quercus alba)
2. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
3. Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
4. Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
5. Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
6. Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
7. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
8. Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
9. Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria)
10. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
11. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
12. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
13. Black Maple (Acer nigrum)
14. Boxelder (Acer negundo)
15. Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
16. Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)
17. Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
18. Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa)
19. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
20. Butternut (Juglans cinerea)
21. White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
22. Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
23. Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra)
24. Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)
25. American Elm (Ulmus americana)
26. Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
27. Rock Elm (Ulmus thomasii)
28. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
29. Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
30. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
31. American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
32. Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
33. Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
34. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
35. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
36. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
37. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
38. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
39. Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
40. Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
41. Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
42. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
43. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
44. Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
45. American Plum (Prunus americana)
46. Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
47. Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli)
48. Dotted Hawthorn (Crataegus punctata)
49. American Basswood (Tilia americana)
50. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
51. Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
52. Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata)
53. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
54. Black Willow (Salix nigra)
55. Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides)
56. Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana) 
57. Sweet Crabapple (Malus coronaria)
58. Prairie Crabapple (Malus ioensis)
59. Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
60. Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata)

Non-Native Trees Commonly Planted in Michigan

While the majority of the trees in our area are native species, there are at least 30 different trees that are commonly planted in our region. 

Non-Native Conifers Commonly Planted in Michigan

Because many are hardy, adaptable species, non-native conifers are actually more common than native species in many residential and urban landscapes across Southeast Michigan.  

1. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
2. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
3. Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
4. Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
5. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
6. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
7. European Larch (Larix decidua)
8. Concolor Fir (Abies concolor)
9. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
10. Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)

Non-Native Broadleaf Trees Commonly Planted in Michigan

Some of the non-native broadleaf trees commonly planted in Southeast Michigan are native to neighboring states, while others hail from countries on the other side of the globe. Note that a few — such as tree of heaven, Bradford pear, and others — are considered invasive and should not be planted deliberately.   

1. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
2. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
3. Flowering Crabapple (Malus hybrids)
4. Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’)
5. Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)
6. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
7. London Planetree (Platanus x acerifolia)
8. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
9. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
10. White Mulberry (Morus alba)
11. Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
12. Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
13. Zelkova (Zelkova serrata)
14. Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
15. English Oak (Quercus robur)
16. Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
17. Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
18. European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
19. Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
20. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

Choosing Trees for Your Southeast Michigan Property: Tips & Tricks

Whether you’d prefer to stick with native species or plant exotics from distant places around the world, there are a few key tips you’ll want to keep in mind when narrowing down your list. This will help give you the best chance of lasting success. 

• Pick species that are suitable for your property. Don’t set yourself up for failure by choosing species that won’t grow well with the soil chemistry of your property or the amount of sunlight your yard receives. 
• Consider your long-term goals. Whether you want trees to provide privacy, shade, aesthetic beauty, or anything else, be sure that you select species that will help you achieve these goals. 
• Avoid invasive species. While some non-native species can work well on Southeast Michigan properties, you don’t want your yard overrun by a species that spreads aggressively. 
• Steer clear of problematic trees. Limit future problems by avoiding trees that produce shallow, widely spreading root systems or produce copious amounts of litter (including fruit). 
• Consider the tree’s risk profile. Fast-growing, weak-wooded trees are sometimes a risky choice near homes and high-traffic areas; opt for slower-growing species where safety is a consideration. 

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind when trying to select trees for your property. That’s why it’s always a good idea to work with a professional arborist when carrying out an installation project. Not only will a professional arborist be able to provide guidance about species selection but also site choice and planting techniques. 

Treemendous Tree Care: Providing Arboricultural Support for Michigan Homeowners & Property Managers

Chances are you have several of the species listed above growing on your property. But if you want them to reach their full potential, you need to partner with a team of professionals that can provide the care your trees need to remain safe and thrive.   

The experts at Treemendous Tree Care are standing by, ready to do exactly that. Whether you need an arborist evaluation in St. Claire Shores, a tree trimmed in Utica, or a tree removed in Eastpointe, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an onsite evaluation and receive your free estimate. 

Sources & References

• Michigan State University Extension – “Smart Gardening: Identifying the Oaks of Michigan”
  This resource provides a diagnostic key and visual guide for distinguishing between Michigan’s various red and white oak species based on leaf, bark, and acorn characteristics.
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-identifying-the-oaks-of-michigan
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources – “Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)”
  This official profile details the history, identification, and ecological significance of the eastern white pine, Michigan’s designated state tree and a cornerstone of regional timber history.
  https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/michigan-species/plants-trees/whitepine
• Michigan State University Extension – “Smart Gardening: Identifying the Oaks of Michigan”
  This educational guide outlines the physical differences between the lobed leaf structures and fruiting bodies of Michigan’s native oak varieties to assist in proper site selection and care.
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-identifying-the-oaks-of-michigan