Celebrating Minnesota Arbor Month
What Is Minnesota Arbor Month?
May is Minnesota Arbor Month! While the last Friday in April is officially Arbor Day, the entire month of May in Minnesota is dedicated to tree-related activities, educational programs, and community planting events supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
First observed in Minnesota in 1876, Arbor Month highlights the importance of tree planting, tree canopy resilience, and community forestry in the spring when temperatures are ideal for planting young trees. Throughout Arbor Month in Minnesota, Tree Trust’s work comes to life through community events that bring people together to get trees planted.
Why Trees Matter in Minnesota Communities
For Tree Trust, Arbor Month in the Twin Cities is also a time to pause, look up, and celebrate the powerful role trees play in our lives and communities. They clean our air, filter stormwater, reduce urban heat, and provide vital habitat for wildlife. In cities, urban trees cool neighborhoods during increasingly hot summers and help reduce energy costs. In every season, they offer beauty, shade, and a sense of connection to nature that supports both physical and mental well-being. Simply put, healthy trees help create healthier communities.
Tree Trust’s Impact During Arbor Month
With the coming of spring temperatures, Tree Trust’s busy season ramps up. In just the last week, we joined forces with two cities to plant over 100 trees in celebration of Arbor Month in Minnesota.
🌳 Arbor Day Celebration in Saint Louis Park
On Thursday, May 14, Tree Trust planted trees as part of the annual Arbor Day Celebration in St. Louis Park, a free community event featuring family-friendly activities, tree-themed obstacle courses, city vehicle displays, arborist demonstrations, and food. This year, Tree Trust’s volunteers planted 40 trees around Carpenter Park. Despite the rain, volunteers persevered, ensuring each tree was planted in time to benefit from natural watering.
🌳 South Saint Paul Plant-A-Thon Community Event
On Saturday, May 16, volunteers came together in South Saint Paul for the first-ever Plant-A-Thon, a day of hands-on impact and celebration. In partnership with the City of South St. Paul, Tree Trust coordinated the planting of 66 new boulevard trees along 5th and 6th Avenue, with volunteers of all experience levels stepping in to lend a hand during two well-attended shifts.
The group planting event welcomed both seasoned participants and first-time planters, corporate employer groups, and community affinity groups, creating an energetic atmosphere where people came together to give back to the community. Midday, volunteers and families gathered at Lorraine Park for an Arbor Day celebration featuring lunch and family-friendly tree activities, with a visit from South St. Paul’s Mayor Jimmy Francis.
Community Partnerships That Support Urban Forestry
These efforts reflect the many partnerships that make Tree Trust’s work possible. Municipalities, nonprofits, community groups, schools, and volunteers all play a role in sustaining our urban forest. Whether it is a community planting event, a tree care workshop, or a long-term stewardship project, collaboration helps ensure that newly planted trees thrive for generations to come.
How to Care for Trees After Planting
Arbor Month is also a call to action. Caring for trees does not end once they are planted. Young trees need watering, mulching, and protection, especially during their first few years. Homeowners, renters, and community members can support the urban forest by learning proper tree care, advocating for green spaces, and participating in local planting and maintenance efforts. Even small actions, such as watering a boulevard tree during a dry spell, can make a lasting difference.
Reflecting on the Value of Trees in Everyday Life
As we celebrate Minnesota Arbor Month, we invite you to reflect on the trees in your own neighborhood and the role they play in your daily life. Think of the shade on a hot summer afternoon, the burst of color in autumn, or the quiet strength they bring to winter landscapes. These benefits exist because someone chose to plant, care for, and protect them.
Together, we can continue to grow a greener and healthier Minnesota, one tree, one person, and one community at a time. This Arbor Month, let’s celebrate what trees give us today and recommit to caring for them tomorrow.
