Applications open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 22 for the tree removal and replacement program

19 Nov 2024

The tree removal and replacement program is accepting applications on Friday, November 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A random lottery will be used to select 50 applicants for this round of tree removals out of the applications received. Notifications of application status will be sent via email on Wednesday, December 3.

Apply

Use this link to apply(External link) to enter the lottery between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, November 22.

Trouble accessing the application

The application will read “Sorry, this has not started” prior to 7 a.m. on November 22. The application will read “The tree removal and replacement application is closed until the next application period” after 7 p.m. on November 22.

Application and interpreter assistance

The application process is online and available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.

If you need interpretation assistance or other help with the application, call 612-541-1949 and state the help you need or language you need assistance in. Program staff will then return your call to provide the assistance you need.

Eligibility requirements

The following requirements must be met to apply:

  • Tree(s) must be ash, diseased oak, or diseased elm
  • Applicants must own and live at the property
  • Household income is under $94,650 (for households from 1 to 4 people). See this chart for households of 5 or more people(External link).
  • Each tree removed must be replaced with at least one tree. Properties with the space will be asked to accept multiple trees.

Applicants will be accepted through a random lottery

To make the application process more accessible and equitable, applications will be accepted for a 12-hour period. Limit one entry per address.

After the applications period closes, a random number generator will be used to select 50 applicants to complete the full application. Final approval for the tree removals available in this application round will be subject to income and other program verifications.

The county will publish the total number of applications received during the application period.

We are taking this approach to increase accessibility and equity for this program while balancing the workload of staff and contractors. We will continue to adjust the process as needed.

Notifications on the status of your application

All applicants will receive an email on Wednesday, December 3 with the status of your application.

Selected applicants

If you are randomly selected in the lottery, you will receive an additional application to complete to provide more information to facilitate income verification for the program.

Not selected applicants

If you do not get selected to apply for the program, you will be notified along with information about the total number of applicants received. You may reapply in future applications rounds.

We are not able to maintain a waiting list for the program. We anticipate reopening the application again in December.

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 on Wednesday, December 3. Submit additional questions to treehelp@hennepin.us(External link) or leave a message on the program hotline at 612-541-1949.

Get notified when applications open

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

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 be follow up with next steps.

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.

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