PLANTATIONS

In the 1930's and shortly thereafter, many plantations of small pine seedlings (mostly red pine) were established throughout the upper midwest. They were planted by various government agencies (the CCC, the Soil Conservation Service, the Forest Service) as a way to retard soil erosion, which was rampant due to the many abandoned farms on the sandy soils of Michigan, and as a way to put otherwise unemployed workers back to work.

Source: Unknown

Today, these plantations are a common site in Michigan. Now nearly 60 years old, many are being harvested for paper pulp or for electrcity power poles. This one, a red pine plantation, is in good health because it has been thinned.

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University

Others, like this one, are being cleared to make way for urban expansion.  This site is just west of Gaylord.

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.