As we approach spring here in the eastern Upper Peninsula, I can’t help but think about the woods. Soon, this great grey expanse of barren trees and snow-covered land will burst with green as the snow melts and the days turn longer.
As this transition begins, it kicks off a growing season full of opportunities to benefit from our woodlands. Far and away the most economically important crop that is produced from forests are the trees themselves and the wood products that are made from them. Timber is a very important industry in the Upper Peninsula, with its vast expanses of forested land.
One aspect of these forests that is often overlooked, however, is the plethora of other natural resources they can produce. These forest products are highly seasonal and typically appear in a predictable succession as the year progresses.
As winter transitions into spring, the first of the year’s annual forest crops, maple syrup, is produced. Maple syrup is produced from sap, which begins to exude from sugar maple trees when temperatures climb above freezing during the day. This sap was historically collected using buckets, however today most producers utilize plastic tubing to connect large numbers of trees and collect sap more efficiently.
Raw maple sap is very low in sugar content compared to maple syrup, in fact it is mostly water, and it must be boiled for long periods of time in order to remove the water and concentrate it down into syrup. Sap is typically boiled in large pans over wood or gas fired stoves, and the site of smoke pouring out of a sugar shack is common in Michigan woods around this time of year. Michigan typically ranks fifth or sixth among US states in Maple Syrup production, due in large part to our expansive maple forests.
Once the last of the snow has melted and the ground starts warming up, the next big forest crop begins to appear. Morel mushrooms start popping up in April and May, beginning in the southern counties of the Lower Peninsula and slowly working their way northwards. Morels are easily the most sought-after wild mushroom in the eastern United States. They frequently fetch high prices in farmers markets, and appear on menus in fine dining restaurants.
Morel hunting is a non-exclusive pursuit, however, and they are also harvested for personal consumption by savvy (or lucky) individuals who know how and where to find them. Hunting for morels is extremely popular across the state of Michigan, with the mushrooms appearing in a variety of habitats but seeming to show particular affinity for disturbed areas, old orchards, and recently burned pine forests. Morels can pop up almost anywhere though, and are known to be as elusive as they are unpredictable in their appearances.
Maple syrup and morels are just a couple of the non-timber products that can be harvested from our forests here in Michigan. As the weather continues to warm, many different plants and mushrooms can be harvested throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Some of these, such as chaga and turkey tail mushrooms, are said to have medicinal value. Many others are just simply tasty.
The vast majority of these plants and mushrooms grow spontaneously as a part of natural ecosystems; however, some can also be deliberately cultivated. Some things that are typically found growing in the wild, such as shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and wild leeks, for example, can all be cultivated and harvested for consumption. Mushrooms can be grown in buckets or on inoculated logs, while leeks can be planted from seed or transplanted into partially shaded areas. Whether you are making maple syrup, foraging for wild edibles, or cultivating plants and mushrooms, learning how to identify and utilize forest products is extremely rewarding, and a great way to connect with the land.
If you have any forest management related questions or any questions about what non-timber forest products you might be able to harvest on your land, feel free to reach out to me by calling 906-253-8055 or by email at [email protected]. Technical assistance and site visits are always free to landowners in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties.
