Hoffmaster State Park

Hoffmaster State Park, MI	Ernie Ostuno
	Sep 06, 2004 20:37 PDT

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is located on the Lake Michigan shore between Muskegon and Grand Haven, Michigan. I visited the park on Sunday and was able to explore some of the remnant old growth beech-maple-hemlock forest.

All together, there is probably over a hundred acres of mature or old growth forest here, but during the logging era at least some selective cutting probably occurred. Large white pine are missing, although some younger white pine can be found closer to the beach.

Several blowdown areas occurred during the derecho of May, 1998
including a 5-10 acre section that suffered almost complete destruction. Overall, this is one of the best examples of old growth forested dune ecosystem remaining in lower Michigan.

	Blowdown area from the May 1998 derecho
	Large oak at the edge of the blowdown with fallen tree leaning against it.
	The downed trees are decomposing while saplings (white pine, black cherry and birch mostly) are filling in.
	Large beech at the edge of the blowdown.
	Old hemlock close to 100 foot tall at the edge of the blowdown area.
	Old hemlock on the forested dunes.
	Beech tree, close to 3 foot dbh. Beech bark disease may be arriving at the park soon as it has reached areas about 50 miles to the north.
	Old growth hemlocks close to 3 feet dbh at the top of a dune. This area was probably only selectively logged for white pine.
	Old growth beech/hemlock forest not far from the Lake Michigan shore.
	More examples of old growth hemlock.
	The edge of the forest, with white pine and cottonwood transition zone to sandy beech with dune grass.

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