300-Year-Old Trees Along Detroit River Gain Recognition as an Old-Growth Forest

April 6, 2025 journo

Old-Growth Forest Network dedication ceremony – Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge / US Fish & Wildlife Service

Who would ever guess that right outside Detroit a native forest has stood undisturbed for centuries—but now, the 300 year-old trees are gaining more respect.

The Old-Growth Forest Network, dedicated to protecting trees in the U.S., has officially recognized 32 acres of centuries-old forest near one of the largest metropolitan areas in America.

The grove is found in Humburg Marsh, which is just south of the Welcome Center in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, remarkably located only 20 miles from downtown Detroit.

The Old-Growth Forest Network aims to locate and designate at least one protected forest in every county in the U.S. where a native forest can be sustained. Overall, that would include about 75% of the counties nationwide.

The oaks in the Humburg Marsh near the Detroit River have avoided development and grown free for centuries.

“We know through historical records that the Humbug Marsh property has been relatively untouched for about 300 years,” Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge park ranger Alex Gilford told WDET-TV News.

Recognition of the southeast Michigan tract is another victory for a woodland area that has had to survive previous development plans that could have compromised its existence.

Humbug Marsh in Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge by Tina Shaw / US Fish & Wildlife Service on Flickr

According to local news reports, a proposed development project in 1998 threatened to destroy a mile of marshlands near the forest. One thousand local residents gathered to protest against the development—and their efforts helped save the native ecosystem.

And thanks to all their actions, the huge trees can be enjoyed by future generations of visitors.

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“It’s a special place,” Gilford told the Detroit Metro Times. “The public can get up close and personal with ancient oak trees and be inspired by this protected natural gem…”

At press time, the organization has already designated 280 forests and at least one old-growth forest in 39 different states—and many states claim designations in numerous counties, as shown in a map on their website.

7,400 environmentalists are the roots that support the Old-Growth Forest Network, including hikers, forest managers, scientists, and citizens—but anyone can nominate a forest for inclusion. Maybe there’s a grove near you.

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