Urban and Community Forestry

On February 23, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 105 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Wednesday, February 25 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Thursday, March 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form(External link).

Stop receiving notifications

To permanently remove your email address from the notification list for future months, submit this form(External link).

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Wednesday, February 25. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us(External link) or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance(External link). Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org(External link) or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov(External link).

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov(External link).

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

Hennepin County’s healthy tree canopy grants are open for applications and are due by Tuesday, March 3. Grant projects can include tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, and affordable housing properties are eligible to apply.

The grants aim to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease, educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, and increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy. Review the grant flyer (PDF).

Virtual information meeting

Wednesday, February 4 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Attend a virtual information meeting to hear about project ideas and understand the application process. A recording and slides will be available after the meeting. Register to attend.

Contact us for help with your project

Hennepin County foresters are available to help you develop projects and answer any questions related to the grant and application process. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the healthy tree canopy grant manager, Leslie, at leslie.alcantarmejia@hennepin.us before applying.

Creating a community forestry program in the Environment and Energy Department was part of the county’s expanded role in natural resource conservation. The forestry program focuses on protecting the county’s tree canopy to increase the benefits that trees provide. Trees improve air quality by absorbing fine particulate matter and other pollutants and protect water by slowing down and infiltrating stormwater runoff. They also provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, lower stress, and increase property values.

Hennepin County foresters were busy throughout 2025. Some highlights of the work that was accomplished include:

• Planted 1,889 gravel bed trees and shrubs throughout the county.
• Planted 19,914 seedlings.
• Removed 590 trees on private property of homeowners with low incomes.
• Planted 217 trees on private property of homeowners who have had trees removed through the county.
• Held a tree giveaway where residents received nearly 10,125 seedlings.
• Funded 26 Healthy Tree Canopy grant projects totaling $500,000. The grants include nine cities, two affordable housing providers, fifteen schools and nonprofits. More than 930 trees will be planted or treated through grant projects.
• Planted 86 different species of trees to maximize tree canopy diversity and resilience.

Learn more in the 2025 community forestry annual report (PDF).

In 2023, Hennepin County forestry was awarded a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant to remove and replace dead and diseased ash trees along county roadways. The grant helps Hennepin County to make roads safe for residents. Tree removal and planting work began in 2025.

So far 84 trees have been removed and 165 have been replanted in Bloomington, Champlin, Dayton, Edina, Hanover, Independence, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, New Hope, Orono, Plymouth, Shorewood, Saint Anthony, and Spring Park.

Plantings include 12 different species of Midwest native trees to increase forest resiliency to threats from pests and climate change. Additional removals are planned through the end of 2025 and into 2026.

In a strong display of collaboration, Hennepin Avenue (County Road 52) in Minneapolis has been revitalized with the planting of 57 trees by Hennepin County foresters, county Transportation staff, and Sentence to Service crews.

A multi-year project came to fruition at the end of May when a dedicated team came together to enhance the tree canopy along the roadway in Northeast Minneapolis. This initiative began in December 2022 and was impacted by local businesses and residents who wanted more trees in the area and a construction project was going to start soon.

Hennepin County Transportation and Environment and Energy staff worked closely together on the project. Transportation headed up the project with goals to improve the road surface, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and add a lane of Bus Rapid Transit. Foresters were first involved to inventory and advise in the preservation of existing trees.

To meet local interest for more mature tree canopy in the area, a partnership with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) was established to preserve mature honey locust trees during the construction process. Preserving these trees and adding 57 more was a big win for residents and businesses!

Moving forward, Environment and Energy’s foresters will care for the trees for the first few years, before handing off care to MPRB. This includes weekly watering during the growing season, incidental pruning of dead and broken branches, and removal and replacement of any trees that die.

On January 27, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 136 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Thursday, January 29 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Monday, February 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form.

Stop receiving notifications

To permanently remove your email address from the notification list for future months, submit this form.

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Thursday, January 29. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance. Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

On December 15, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 139 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Wednesday, December 17 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Tuesday, January 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form.

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Wednesday, December 17. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance. Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

On November 20, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 189 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Monday, November 24 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Monday, November 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form.

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Thursday, September 18. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance. Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

On October 22, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 262 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Thursday, October 23 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Thursday, November 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form.

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Thursday, September 18. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance. Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

On September 15, applications opened for 12 hours for the tree removal and replacement program. We received a total of 296 applications. After the application period closed, a random number generator was used to select 100 tree removals to move forward. The number of applicants selected from each city is proportionate to the percentage of the county's population that resides in that city. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round is subject to income and other program verifications.

All applicants received an email on Thursday, September 18 with application status and next steps.

The application will open next on Wednesday, October 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Get notified when applications open

If you did not receive an email notification when applications opened, sign up by completing the tree removal and replacement notification form.

Responses from program staff

Due to the overwhelming demand for this program, foresters are unable to respond to all messages received. Staff will prioritize responding to residents who have been selected to participate.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and check your email received on Thursday, September 18. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Tree removal assistance for Minneapolis residents

Tree removals in Minneapolis are being handled by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or by the city’s Regulatory Services Department.

Homeowners with low incomes in Minneapolis that have a condemned tree that needs to be removed should refer to the City of Minneapolis condemned tree assistance. Minneapolis residents who have not received a condemnation letter but have an ash tree or significantly diseased tree should contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department at forestry@minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-313-7710 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If Minneapolis residents with a condemned tree submit a Hennepin County form, their address will be shared with Minneapolis, and the city will follow up with next steps. For questions, call 612-673-2606 or email TreeHealth@minneapolismn.gov.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Hennepin County is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.