Wildlife Trees & Bushes

Wildlife trees and bushes in Michigan play a crucial role in supporting the state's diverse ecosystems. 

Grouse:

  • Habitat and Cover: Shrubs provide essential cover for grouse, protecting them from predators and harsh weather conditions. Dense thickets offer safe nesting sites and areas for brooding chicks.
  • Food Sources: Many shrubs produce berries, seeds, and buds, essential food sources for grouse. For example, grouses commonly consume species like blueberries and serviceberries.
  • Diversity and Structure: A diverse mix of shrub species and structures benefit grouse. This diversity ensures a year-round supply of food and cover, as different shrubs have varying fruiting and leafing times.
  • Management Practices: Land management practices that promote the growth of native shrubs can enhance grouse habitat. This includes controlled burns, selective cutting, and planting native shrub species.
  • Examples of Beneficial Shrubs: Some specific shrubs beneficial for grouse include: - Alder: Provides cover and is often found in moist areas. - Willow: Offers both cover and food, particularly in riparian zones. - Dogwood: Produces berries, which are a food source for grouses. - Hawthorn: Offers dense cover and produces berries.

Deer:

  • Forests and Woodlands: White-tailed deer prefer areas with a mix of forest and open spaces. Michigan's extensive forests provide excellent cover and food sources. Deciduous forests, in particular, offer a variety of browse, such as leaves, twigs, and acorns, which are essential components of their diet.
  • Edge Habitats: Deer are often found in edge habitats, which are transitional zones between different types of ecosystems, such as the boundary between a forest and a field. These areas provide a mix of cover and food resources, making them ideal for deer.
  • Agricultural Areas: In Michigan, agricultural lands can also serve as important habitats for white-tailed deer. Crops such as corn, soybeans, and alfalfa provide abundant food, especially in the fall and winter months.
  • Wetlands and Riparian Zones: Wetlands and areas near rivers and streams offer water sources and lush vegetation, which are crucial for deer, especially during dry periods. These areas also provide cover and protection from predators.
  • Seasonal Variations: Deer habitat use can vary seasonally. In the winter, deer may move to areas with dense coniferous cover, which provides shelter from harsh weather. In the spring and summer, they may be more dispersed, taking advantage of the abundant food resources.
  • Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea): - Known for its bright red stems, this shrub provides both food and cover for deer. The twigs and leaves are palatable to deer, especially in the winter.
  • Blackberry (Rubus spp.): - Blackberries offer both fruit and foliage that deer consume. The dense thickets also provide excellent cover and protection.
  • Sumac (Rhus spp.): - Sumac shrubs produce red berries that are consumed by deer. The leaves and stems are also browsed, and the plant provides good cover.
  • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): - This shrub produces berries that are a favorite among deer. The foliage is also browsed, and it provides good cover.
  • Viburnum (Viburnum spp.): - Viburnum shrubs produce berries that are eaten by deer, and the leaves are also browsed. They offer good cover as well.