Unearthing Volunteer Opportunities
As our treescapes ignite with autumn’s fiery palette, Tree Trust welcomes fall planting season. Transforming the Twin Cities metro area into a lush city forest to be enjoyed for generations is possible with the help of our generous community. Rooted in purpose, Tree Trust volunteers embody our vision of a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet. Here is a guide to all the exciting ways you can help Tree Trust green our community. Each Tree Trust volunteer opportunity is a family-friendly event.
Plant Trees
Bring Tree Trust’s mission to life under the dappled sunlight of a Saturday morning community planting. No tools or planting experience are needed to volunteer. Tree Trust’s Community Forestry team will show you, step-by-step, how to prep and plant a tree the Tree Trust way. Equipped with tools, knowledge, and snacks — planting trees often entices hunger — you will then plant your trees in small groups. Tree Trust staff are available to help and answer questions throughout the duration of every planting. Tree planting events are a two to three-hour time commitment. Bring your family, co-workers, and even your well-behaved dog!
Be a Branch Manager
A Branch Manager is someone with enough volunteer experience and training to lead other volunteers at a Tree Trust planting event. After the initial planting demonstration, volunteers are divided into smaller groups, each of which is guided by a Branch Manager. Branch Managers ensure that every tree planted by their group is at a comfortable depth, has all tags and trash removed, and is adequately watered, mulched, and staked. The benefits of volunteering as a Branch Manager include helping with private, corporate-sponsored plantings that are not generally open to members of the public. Tree Trust hosts Branch Manager training sessions each spring and fall. Training sessions last two hours and include a complimentary meal. Want to be a Branch Manager? Reach out to our Community Forestry team today!
Tree Care
Tree Trust volunteers play a pivotal role in nurturing our growing urban forest. Newly planted trees need more than rainwater to survive the shock of planting. Each tree planted during the spring and fall requires 15-25 gallons of water every week. In addition to watering trees, our tree care volunteers assist in mulching and light pruning of new and established trees. Tree care events are a one-hour time commitment.
Distribute Trees
Tree distribution volunteers help in two different ways: unloading tree shipments and helping new tree owners fit their new trees into their vehicles.
- Tree unloading events
Transform a Minnesota parking lot into a temporary forest of trees. Volunteers form a line like a bucket brigade to unload hundreds of trees and sort them according to species. Enjoy an amazing workout and the fresh aroma of each variety of tree.
- Tree pick-up events
Located throughout the Twin Cities, these volunteer opportunities serve as a pick-up point for residents participating in our tree sales. Volunteers use physical strength and creative problem solving to help load trees into cars, trucks, and even onto bikes of happy new tree owners.
There are many volunteer opportunities coming up this fall to get in your morning or evening workout by skillfully maneuvering trees. Tree unloading and pick-up events are a one-to-two-hour time commitment.
Tree Trust is grateful to our community of volunteers who donate their time to advance our vision of a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet. Thank you to every volunteer who has helped in prior years! View upcoming volunteer opportunities for this fall on our website and sign up today!
