Did you know you can find a giant sequoia tree growing in West Michigan? Learn all about it – where to find it, how it came to be here, and other fun facts!
I know what you are thinking (because we were thinking it, too). A giant sequoia? In Michigan? But, as unbelievable as it sounds, it is true – there is a giant sequoia tree growing in West Michigan.
As soon as I heard about it, you know our family had to go check it out. (I mean, come on, if we were willing to drive over 5,000 miles round-trip to see the giant sequoias in California, then you better believe we were going to make the short 2-hour drive to see one growing right here in our home state!)
Where to Find a Sequoia Tree in Michigan
Where is the giant sequoia tree in Michigan? There are three sequoia trees located in Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary at 2890 Lakeshore Drive, Manistee, Michigan.
In addition to being home to three sequoia trees (including the Michigan Champion Giant Sequoia), Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary also houses the Michigan Champion Sycamore Maple, the former Michigan Champion Cottonwood and an assortment of other interesting trees.
The 76-acre bird sanctuary is located atop a 100 foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and features two miles of easy hiking trails and beach access. Unsurprisingly, it is also a fantastic place to go bird watching. Over 170 bird species have been spotted at this sanctuary.
The History Behind These Michigan Sequoia Trees
Six sequoia seedlings were planted at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary in 1948. These 6-inch tall seedlings were brought here by M.E. and Gertrude Gray from California.
Only three of the original six seedlings currently remain.
The bird sanctuary itself was originally owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gray. The property was originally landscaped as an arboretum. A quick walk around the grounds shows that several other notable tree specimens are also still preserved there.
Michigan Champion Giant Sequoia Fun Facts
Check out these fun facts:
- Sequoia trees grow to be over 200 feet tall. The Michigan Champion Giant Sequoia is currently over 95 feet tall.
- This West Michigan champion tree is currently a little over 80 years old. In comparison, the oldest sequoia tree in California’s Sequoia National Park is over 3,200 years old.
- Giant Sequoias grow best in humid climates with dry summers and snowy winters and in elevations between 4,600 and 7,000 feet. They can be found naturally growing in groves in a limited area of California. Thus, seeing a giant sequoia in Michigan is quite the novelty.
There are a few other sequoia trees scattered around Michigan as well. You can learn more about them at giant-sequoia.com.
Visit the Sequoia Trees
Stop out and visit these majestic trees at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary in Manistee, Michigan. The grounds are open year-round from dawn until dusk. There is plenty of parking and no admission fees. Donations encouraged.
Consider bringing comfortable shoes for hiking the trails, binoculars for bird watching, and of course, your camera. Do not bring your dog though. No pets allowed.
What do you think? Would you like to see these giant sequoias for yourself?
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What a cool place to check out! I’d like to see all the birds, too. We haven’t made it out to see the ones in Sequoia National Park yet. It’s on my list, though!
YES!!! I want to see these trees. :D. And my furry pal sure would have loved to to leave his mark, but alas, no pets allowed. 😛 I am glad you included that information so I could make proper plans if I ever go. Thanks. 🙂
Wow, who would have thought these were close by in Michigan? We would love to see these someday!
We have a red dawn sequoia tree practically in our back yard in ohio. It is beautiful.
Very cool! I’ve been dreaming lately of a “Sequoia Trees Throughout the Midwest” road trip. Maybe our family will visit your area sometime soon!
I also want to see the trees and in the search bar put the Grove of the titans
Very cool. Searching for some comfortable shoes right now.
There’s also one in Jackson county Michigan in Hanover Township it was brought there in the 1950s in a coffee can implanted behind The house this young couple at the time or building still looks healthy and is growing very well
There’s also one growing in Jackson County in Hanover Township it was brought there in the late 50s and a coffee can from the West Coast and planted behind a house a young couple was building the tree looks healthy and is pretty good size now
Fascinating!
Been there and seen this (and the California Sequoias as well) – it’s all wonderful! These should be grown all over Michigan, as they grow well here. The northern half of the lower peninsula and a significant portion of the UP were originally pines before the State was so incredibly logged, and it would be nice returning it to that again – let’s include giant sequoias this time, lining our “coasts” of Michigan with them as a start. Imagine how wonderful it would be for future generations seeing 300+ ft trees as they travel M-22 and the like.