Urban and Community Forestry

Hennepin County forestry is offering free monthly learning opportunities about trees and forests for residents. These sessions require no previous knowledge, are open to the public, and rotate between virtual webinars, in-person trainings, and hybrid webinars and trainings. Recordings from webinars will be available for those who are unable to attend.

Download a flyer of upcoming sessions (PDF, 547 KB)

Tree seed art in Spanish and English

Thursday, September 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Painter Park in Minneapolis

Join us for this all-ages workshop to create art using seeds collected from trees across Hennepin County! Materials and guidance from Hennepin County staff and local artists will be provided at no cost. This will be an opportunity to create your own original artwork to bring home and to get to know what trees and plants these seeds come from! This workshop will be held fully outdoors in Spanish and English.

Meet next to the playground. Rain location: craft room in the recreation center. Map to bus, bike, drive, or walk to Painter Park.

Register to attend.

Taking care of fruit trees in the city in Spanish and English

Thursday, October 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County urban fruit orchard in Minneapolis

This workshop will be an introduction to the basics of fruit tree care in urban environments. Learn about growing trees in small spaces, pruning for best fruit production, and protecting trees from disease and damage. Fresh fall fruits and hot cider will be provided! This workshop will be held fully outdoors in Spanish and English. Map to bus, bike, drive, or walk to the orchard.

Register to attend.

Save the date for upcoming trainings

Save the date for the following trainings. Locations and details are still being determined. Once details are sorted, we will share registration links and details here.

Winter tree identification

Saturday, December 14 from noon to 1 p.m.

Learn from the experts how to identify common tree species in winter. This workshop will be held fully outdoors and will involve walking on paved but potentially snowy and icy trails. Warm beverages will be provided.

Recordings and resources from past trainings

Identifying common diseases and infestations in trees webinar, held April 25, 2024

Brian Schwingle, the Forest Health Program Coordinator from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, educates about common diseases and infestation of trees, including emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, and oak wilt. Watch a recording of this training.

Tree planting and selection webinar, held May 23, 2024

Get insight on how to select the right tree(s) for your property and learn techniques from the experts for planting bare root, containerized, and balled and burlap trees. Watch a recording of the tree planting and selection webinar.

Hennepin County foresters helped youth interns from Emerge and Project Sweetie Pie build a gravel bed nursery at Pillsbury Urban Farm in north Minneapolis in late July. County foresters provided guidance for interns as well as gravel for the bed. Interns learned basic carpentry and became familiar with forestry career options.

Planting trees in areas with lower tree canopy cover to mitigate the heat island effect and improve air quality is an important part of our community forestry strategic plan. This effort contributes to Hennepin County’s goal, established in the county’s Climate Action Plan, of planting 1 million trees with the help of cities, partners, and residents by 2030.

Gravel bed nurseries allow trees to grow and develop a good root structure throughout the summer and are ready to be transplanted in the fall. The 20 trees growing in the gravel bed will be planted by Project Sweetie Pie and Tree Trust at private residences in north Minneapolis this fall.

The project was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and was completed in partnership with Ajani Collective, City of Minneapolis, Emerge Minneapolis, Pillsbury United Communities, Project Sweetie Pie, Renewing the Countryside, and Tree Trust.

Hennepin County is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to plant 160 trees across seven sites on their rights-of-way along interstate 94 corridor. These sites present an opportunity to increase the environmental and public health benefits that come from roadside trees. Trees planted along roadsides are shown to improve local air quality, reduce flooding, provide shade for cooling effects in the summer and break winter winds, help local wildlife, and improve mental well-being of community members. Tree species planted during this project will tolerate conditions such as road salt, a variety of different soils, and trap particulate matter. The diversity of tree species will also increase their resiliency to climate change.

Trees will be planted along the interstate 94 corridor in the North Minneapolis neighborhoods of: Fowell, Mckinley, Hawthorn, Near North during summer and fall of 2024.

Volunteer planting and Tree Stewards training

A volunteer planting and Tree Stewards training was held on June 1. In total, 10 community members participated, and University of Minnesota Urban Forestry Outreach and Research staff assisted.

Participants in the training learned about basic tree care and management, Hennepin County forestry programs, and the benefits of trees in an urban landscape. The planting was held at the intersection of N 4^th Street and 36^th Avenue in Minneapolis and 41 trees were planted with the help of volunteers.

Learn more

For more information about this project, contact Leslie Alcantar Mejia at leslie.alcantarmejia@hennepin.us.

The tree removal and replacement application opened on Monday, June 24. The response was overwhelming, with more than 200 inquiry applications received in two days.

On Wednesday, June 26, we closed the application to process this first set of applicants, conduct tree inspections, and prioritize tree removals. The decision to work through applications in batches was made to ensure we can be responsive to current and future applicants.

The program is not out of money, and we will be able to help more residents with tree removals and replacements in the future.

We anticipate that applications will not reopen until late fall 2024. Subscribe to the urban and community forestry newsletter to receive email updates.

Status of your application

If you submitted an intake form between June 24 and 26, you should have received email communication from treehelp@hennepin.us. We are currently processing the information you shared with us. If you meet our initial qualifications, you will receive an email with a link to complete the second part of the application. If you don’t meet the initial qualifications, we will let you know via email. Not all applicants will qualify for removal.

Due to the high level of interest in this program, there may be significant time between completing the initial intake and the ultimate removal of qualifying trees. If you are concerned that your tree cannot wait to be removed, consider contacting a private tree removal service and removing the tree at your cost. After final determinations on applications are completed, scheduling of removals will be prioritized based on the condition of the tree(s). We will keep in touch with you via email throughout the process. Direct any questions to treehelp@hennepin.us.

Questions

Check out the FAQs to find answers to commonly asked questions. Submit questions to treehelp@hennepin.us.

Background on funding source

Hennepin County was recently awarded a $10 million Urban and Community Forestry grant from the U.S. Forest Service to remove diseased trees, plant trees, educate residents, and support businesses and workforce development. The project will improve resilience to climate change, pests, storms, and extreme heat events.

This grant is part of more than $1 billion awarded to 385 projects nationwide and $33 million in Minnesota. This historic funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, as identified in the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

Prioritizing homeowners with low incomes

With the grant funding, Hennepin County forestry will help homeowners with low incomes get trees removed and replaced from their properties. County foresters will also educate residents about tree care and the benefits of trees. This funding addresses a significant need identified by community members as the emerald ash borer has swept through the county.

County foresters have heard from residents about the overwhelming financial burden of removing a diseased tree. Without help, some residents could be at risk of losing their home to tax forfeiture if the property is assessed for the removal of a tree. Many others aren’t likely to be able to afford to replace the removed tree, which furthers the disparities in the urban tree canopy.

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.

Due to an overwhelming response, the county is temporarily pausing the tree removal and replacement application. Check back here for updates when the application is open again.

We are excited to announce that the tree removal and replacement program is now accepting applications. The program prioritizes applications from property owners who live at their property and whose household income is under $94,650 (for households from 1 to 4 people). See this chart for households of 5 or more people. The application will not accept submissions from households making above these income limits.

The application process is 100% online and available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. Proof of income is required.

June 26 update: due to an overwhelming response, the county is temporarily pausing the tree removal and replacement application. Check back here for updates when the application is open again.

Removing hazardous trees increases the safety of people and property. Trees that qualify for removal are significantly diseased or otherwise hazardous. This program also saves property owners the costs of removal and replacement.

This program requires that each tree removed be replaced with another tree. The newly planted trees provide many benefits, including:

• Providing shade and cooling your neighborhood
• Increasing property values
• Improving air quality
• Capturing and filtering stormwater
• Providing habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

Program participants will work with foresters to select replacement trees.

Interpreter assistance

If you require interpretation assistance to complete the application, call Monica at 612-596-0992 and state the language you need assistance in. Monica will then add an interpreter to the call to assist.

Updates and questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions. Subscribe to the urban and community forestry newsletter to receive email updates. Submit questions to treehelp@hennepin.us.

Background on funding source

Hennepin County was recently awarded a $10 million Urban and Community Forestry grant from the U.S. Forest Service to remove diseased trees, plant trees, educate residents, and support businesses and workforce development. The project will improve resilience to climate change, pests, storms, and extreme heat events.

This grant is part of more than $1 billion awarded to 385 projects nationwide and $33 million in Minnesota. This historic funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, as identified in the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

Prioritizing homeowners with low incomes

This funding addresses a significant need identified by community members as the emerald ash borer has swept through the county. County foresters have heard from residents about the overwhelming financial burden of removing a diseased tree and/or not be able to replace the removed tree.

With the grant funding, Hennepin County forestry will help homeowners with low incomes get trees removed and replaced from their properties. County foresters will also educate residents about tree care and the benefits of trees.

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.

Update on resident application for tree removal and replacement

The tree removal and replacement application will open in late June. Subscribe for updates to receive an email when the application opens.

What residents will qualify for tree removal assistance?

The program is income based. We will be prioritizing applications from owner-occupied property owners in Hennepin County whose household income is below 80% of the adjusted median income for a family of four. View a chart displaying 2023 adjusted median income from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How the application will work

The application process will be 100% online. Application forms will be available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. Proof of income will be required.

Answers to commonly asked questions

Check out the FAQ’s to find answers to more questions.

Introducing our new Inflation Reduction Act Grant Coordinator

Monica Randazzo has joined Hennepin County’s Environment and Energy department as the Inflation Reduction Act Grant Coordinator and will be overseeing grant activities including contracted tree removals and planting and employment training programs. She will be working with community organizations and residents through events and education. You may have already gotten a response to a question on this page from Monica!

Monica previously worked at the Urban Forestry Outreach and Research lab at the University of Minnesota as a researcher and educator, working with communities across the state. Her work has been rooted in building community resilience through education and relational partnerships and has included collaborations with youth and youth organizations, K-12 schools, higher education students, incarcerated writers and students, and urban forestry and education professionals.

Proposals due by 1 p.m. on Monday, July 8

Hennepin County is soliciting proposals for forestry workforce development programming, which includes adult arborist apprenticeship programming, adult and youth introductory tree maintenance programming, and wraparound services to support both programs.

A total of $1.9 million has been allocated for this programming. Funding for this work is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.

Contracts awarded are anticipated to span a two-year duration, with each participant cohort expected to be active in the program for one year.

Who should apply

This request for proposals is open to the following that are located within the greater Twin Cities metro area:

• Local tree care providers
• Nonprofit organizations
• Private, for-profit companies

Program overview

There are three types of programs that proposals can be submitted for, each with unique requirements. Proposers aren’t required to offer all services described in each program and can submit a proposal that outlines services that fall into their area(s) of expertise.

Adult arborist apprenticeship program

This program category is for tree care providers who will act as the host site, education experts, field instructors, and equipment providers for adult arborist apprentices. This program requires that training be provided by arborists who are ISA certified.

This program will guide adult apprentices through hands-on training provided by skilled professionals including topics such as: tree identification, pruning, tree climbing, hand tool use and safety, chipper and chainsaw use and safety, equipment maintenance, and tree removal.

Adult and youth introductory tree maintenance program

This program category is for nonprofit organizations or tree care providers who will act as the host site, education experts, field instructors, and equipment providers for adult and youth introductory tree maintenance program participants. The educational components of this program must be delivered by an arborist who is ISA certified.

This program will provide instruction to participants including topics such as: tree identification, tree planting, pruning and watering trees, basic job skills, and the benefits of trees.

Wraparound services aid program

This program category is for organizations or businesses who have experience serving people who have been previously incarcerated and providing services, supports for construction-related employment, and training programs.

This program will provide instruction and support to participants including obtaining drivers licenses, public transit education and support, clothing and nutritional needs, health resources and support, resume writing, affordable housing resources, and academic tutoring.

Pre-proposal meeting recording

Watch the recording of the pre-proposal meeting to learn more about the request for proposals. Official answers to questions asked in the video recording will be added to the documents section in the Supplier Portal by June 14.

How to apply

Proposals will be accepted via the Hennepin County supplier portal until 1 p.m. on Monday, July 8.

To access the RFP and apply

• Visit the Supplier Portal
• Under Contracting opportunities, view the request for proposal materials by selecting “Forestry Workforce Development programming”.
• You need to be registered to submit an application. There has been an upgrade to the Supplier Portal, so all respondents will need to register or re-register. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application, including video tutorials and more, visit the Supplier Portal information page.

Questions

Direct any questions about this request for proposals to: hsph.vendor.selection@hennepin.us and indicate the opportunity name “Forestry Workforce Development programming” in the subject line.

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.

Hennepin County forestry is offering free monthly learning opportunities about trees and forests for residents. These sessions require no previous knowledge, are open to the public, and rotate between virtual webinars, in-person trainings, and hybrid webinars and trainings. Recordings from webinars will be available for those who are unable to attend.

Download a flyer of upcoming sessions (PDF, 547 KB)

Diagnosing common tree defects and health issues in-person workshop

Thursday, July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Learn from experts about how to diagnose common structural, root defects, and health issues in your trees. This will include stem girdling root identification and remediation, codominance that can lead to splits and tear-outs, and other health issues. This training will be held fully outdoors both on paved and unpaved paths. We will meet at the parking lot outside of the recreation center. Map to bus, bike, drive, or walk to Folwell Park.

Register to attend.

Save the date for additional trainings

Save the date for the following trainings. Locations are still being determined. Once locations are selected, we will share registration links and details via this newsletter and on the learning series web page.

Get to know your soil hybrid workshop

Thursday, August 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Learn from experts about the different types of soil in Hennepin County and how it can impact trees in this hybrid workshop held both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Get to know your soil to increase tree health and choose the right trees for your property.

Recordings and resources from past trainings

Identifying common diseases and infestations in trees webinar, held April 25, 2024

Brian Schwingle, the Forest Health Program Coordinator from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, educates about common diseases and infestation of trees, including emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, and oak wilt. Watch a recording of this training.

Tree planting and selection webinar, held May 23, 2024

Get insight on how to select the right tree(s) for your property and learn techniques from the experts for planting bare root, containerized, and balled and burlap trees. Watch a recording of the tree planting and selection webinar.

We have updated several emerald ash borer print pieces and they are now available for free in English Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and large print English. Follow the links below to order copies for yourself or for distribution to your community.

Emerald ash borer booklet

Learn how to identify ash trees, signs of emerald ash borer infestation, and options for treating and replanting trees. Order a printed copy of the booklet.

Decision guide for managing ash trees

Learn how to identify the best options for managing your ash trees. Order a printed copy of the decision guide.

Ash tree identification card

Use this as a quick reference for identifying ash trees. Order a printed copy of the identification card.