It’s hard to imagine now, but the state of Ohio was once covered with vast hardwood forests. There were some prairies in parts of the state, like the Oak Openings Region, but most was forest.
Before settlement of the state began in the 1800s it is said that a squirrel could jump from tree to tree and never touch the ground. I don’t know if quite believe that, but the thought paints a pretty clear picture.
The flat terrain and fertile soil of Northwest Ohio resulted in most of the forest being cleared for farmland. Now there are just small sections of hardwood trees scattered among the open fields.
Below are some of the native trees found in Northwest Ohio:
Ohio Buckeye (The official tree of Ohio)
Northern Red Oak
Swamp White Oak
Black Cherry Tree
Tupleo Tree (Sour Gum)