Replanting Michigan: Red and Jack Pine Terrestrial Reforestation

Restoring Michigan’s Pine Forests – One Seedling at a Time

Across Michigan, forests are quietly being rebuilt through terrestrial reforestation projects that focus on planting native tree species like red pine and jack pine. These hardy conifers are well-suited to Michigan’s sandy soils and northern climate, and they play an important role in restoring healthy forest ecosystems after logging, pests, or severe weather.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources plants thousands of acres of new trees every year—mainly red pines—on land where older pine forests were harvested. By replanting right away, they help new forests grow quickly, keeping state lands green and healthy.

These growing forests also store carbon and create important homes for wildlife over the decades as the trees mature.

Why Red Pine and Jack Pine?

Red pine and jack pine are two of Michigan’s signature species:

• Red pine grows tall and straight, forming classic “up-north” pine stands that help stabilize soils, filter water, and provide nesting and cover for wildlife.

• Jack pine is a scrappy, sun-loving tree that thrives on dry, sandy sites. It’s also essential habitat for species like the Kirtland’s warbler, which depends on young jack pine forests to survive.

By planting a mix of these native seedlings, reforestation projects help:

• Rebuild forest cover on damaged or depleted lands

• Improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity

• Protect watersheds and reduce erosion

• Store carbon and support long-term climate resilience

See Where the Trees Are Being Planted

Explore where new pine forests are growing across both Upper and Lower Michigan with our interactive maps of both present and past (2020-2024) planting locations.

You can zoom in on each location, see the surrounding landscape, and discover how these reforestation projects fit into the broader forested regions of the state.