There are plans to distribute Jack Pine seeds from an overgrown seed orchard across Michigan.
The orchard is located in Brighton. Jason Hartman is a silviculturist there, and said over the last 30 years, the orchard has become overgrown and difficult to harvest.
“When we’re going to replant we’re going to replant on a staggered schedule so that we always have some younger trees to pick cones from.”
Hartman said seedlings from the orchard will be combined with seeds from their other programs to make for over six million seedlings planted in state forests.
Over the last few decades, the state has been making an effort to restore Jack Pine habitats across northern Michigan. Jack Pine forests are home to many species, including the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler.