A lesson in forestry: Nuts and honey

Solid wood products are essential to our economy and manifest in a wide range of products, yet the values of non-timber forest products are usually under-appreciated. They represent a multi-million-dollar impact and are collected by thousands of people. 

Michigan forests feature a host of nut trees. Basswood, not a nut tree, has other favored features. Walnuts and butternuts produce sweet fruits. Basswood sports semi-showy flowers favored by bees in season. Basswood honey is a specialty product that carries a healthy price tag.

Non-timber forest products consist of almost anything from trees and forests that is not wood or derived from wood. Think mushrooms, birch bark and maple syrup, for example. 

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