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.

Lathrup Village is creating a new tree garden as part of a larger effort to keep its mature trees healthy, add more green spaces, and teach residents about how important trees are to the community.

The project is taking place on a triangular piece of public green space that once hosted the city’s first Arbor Day tree planting after the tree committee was formed.

Brandon Wynn, a resident of Lathrup Village is a certified tree expert and chair of the tree committee. He explained that the long-term plan includes planting different types of trees, putting up signs to educate people, and eventually adding benches and space for community activities.

The city is mainly focusing on planting trees native to Michigan, like white oak, swamp white oak, black gum, and American hornbeam.

They are also thinking about including some non-native trees that can handle changing weather patterns and road salt.

Some trees like ginkgo, dawn redwood, river birch, and a donated tulip tree have already been planted there.

Bahm says the community will consider adding a pavilion or pergola, flower beds, shrubs, and evergreen trees. The committee is funding these efforts through grants, donations, and partnerships with the community to gradually develop the arboretum.

Jill Bahm, a planning expert working with Giffels Webster and serving as Lathrup Village’s planning consultant, explained that trees and other green spaces can help manage stormwater, reduce runoff and erosion, and improve air and water quality.

She says that by including the tree committee’s work in the city’s updated master and recreation plans, they can ensure this project fits into Lathrup Village and support future projects and grants.

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

The nonprofit Little Traverse Conservancy wants to purchase a 160 acre lot of forest near Harbor Springs and create a wildlife corridor.

The current owners are on board. They’ve allowed public access to the land for years, and plan to donate an additional 20 acres to the organization.

Emily Hughes, chief development officer for the conservancy, says that they’ve raised $2.7 million of the $3 million goal. Many supporters are apart of the local community, who have been using the property with permission of the owners.

“As of today, 69 families have supported this effort,” says Hughes. “So this is now an opportunity to include even more people who want to help protect this land forever.”

The land is adjacent to 80 acres of public trails. After the purchase, Little Traverse Conservancy plans to add new trails and build a parking area.

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