Research

Since its inception, Fred Russ Forest has been administered by the MSU Department of Forestry and utilized for research, teaching, and outreach activities.

Established in 1942, this experimental forest is a mosaic of tree plantations and natural stands covering 970 acres. The primary focus is forest research directed toward sustaining the productivity, aesthetic richness and diversity of the renewable resources in Michigan. Russ Forest has the unique quality of mature native forest stands utilized for research and demonstration. The forest contains 280 acres of MSU designated natural areas. Some specific study areas include forest tree genetics, a comparison of forested and farm ground and their ability to store carbon, the establishment and management of short rotation plantations, Christmas tree seed orchard, and the monitoring of long term forestry management projects.

Forest Map

Kellogg and Russ Forest Plantation List(Excel file)

Kellogg and Russ Forest projects from the years 1991-2002 (PDF file)