College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Tree Research Center (Est. 1963)

The 30-acre Tree Research Center (TRC) was established in 1963 and is one of 18 MSU AgBioResearch facilities located on 2,738 acres of south campus farmland and forests. Facilities include an irrigated tree nursery, greenhouses, tree plantations, and buildings and equipment to support research, teaching and maintenance activities. The land base expanded in 1982 to include 100 acres of field and woodlands at the adjacent Sandhill Research Area. Research is conducted on Christmas trees, insect and disease management, biofuel, forest silviculture-ecology and genetic tree improvement. 

• Location: 5640 E. Jolly Road, Lansing MI 48910 (corner of Jolly Road and Hagadorn Road, about 3 miles south of main campus)

• • Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed during all holidays observed by the University. Visitors are welcome and tours are available by appointment. Please call ahead at 517-353-2036.

W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest (Est. 1932)

Established on abandoned agricultural land, the 716-acre Kellogg Experimental Forest is known worldwide for research on tree breeding and genetics, planting techniques, and plantation establishment and management. Much of the research that developed the Spartan spruce, a hybrid that combines the color  and drought resistance of a blue spruce and the softer needles and rapid growth rate of the white spruce, was done at the Kellogg Forest. The forest is open to the public for biking, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing, and has several interpretive trails.

W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest now offers Spartan Pure Maple Syrup as part of a research effort in best practices for high-vacuum sap extraction. Spartan Pure Maple Syrup is made from pure maple sap, with no additives or preservatives. Now available at MSU Stores, MSU Surplus, Kellogg Biological Station and Kellogg Forest.

• Location: 7060 N. 42nd Street Augusta, MI 49012

Forest Biomass Innovation Center (est. 1986)

The 1,745-acre MSU Forest Biomass Innovation Center in Escanaba is undergoing a transformation. It is beginning the process of partnership building with members of the forest industry, USFS, MI DNR, and others to broaden the research focus of the station, offer more insight and assistance with non-timber forest products, and reengage the local community. It is working to develop stronger links to campus faculty and act as a conduit for Applied Forestry research and outreach between local partners and campus. The station has a rich history in forest research having lead a number of initiatives to increase the sustainable use of wood in Michigan’s bioeconomy. This work focused on increasing yields, decreasing costs, reducing greenhouse gas and energy losses, retaining rural jobs, and improving supply chain efficiencies. Past research at the center also focused on forest genetics, silviculture and forested wetland management.

In February 2010, the Upper Peninsula Tree Improvement Center was renamed the MSU Forest Biomass Innovation Center (FBIC) to emphasize the evolving focus of MSU AgBioResearch research activities and we are exploring station name options to reflect the changing focus once again.

• Location: 6005 J Road Escanaba, MI 49829