Minnesota's Arbor Day is April 25, 2025. May is Arbor Month.
A tree planted today grows a stronger community for tomorrow.
Minnesota celebrates both Arbor Day and Arbor Month, dedicating all of May to plant and care for trees. There is even a Governor’s proclamation to promote the effort! Moderate May temperatures provide the perfect conditions for young trees to take root and thrive, making it an ideal time to plant and celebrate trees in our communities.
Trees are the heart of our communities, providing shade, beauty, clean air and water, and wildlife habitat. By planting trees today, you're helping build a healthier, more vibrant environment for generations to come.
Gather your friends, family, and neighbors this Arbor Month to plant trees, strengthen community ties, and leave a legacy. Every tree planted is a step toward healthier communities and a more sustainable future for Minnesota.
Plant it Forward—join us in celebrating Arbor Day and Month!
Get involved in the fun!
- Print and color tree tags: Celebrate Arbor Month with printable tree tags. Color these fun tags with family and friends, then attach them to your newly planted trees to showcase all the wonderful ways trees support our communities. Just remember to remove the tags after your celebration to keep your trees healthy.
- Follow us on social media and tell us why you plant it forward! We'd love to know your story! Share your reason for planting trees in your community and inspire others to plant it forward. Whether it's for cleaner air, a cooler neighborhood, or simply because trees make you happy—we want to hear it! Use the hashtags #PlantItForward #ArborMonth2025
- We will also be posting weekly about Arbor Month on the DNR's Facebook page (@MinnesotaDNR) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/minnesotadnr/)
- Submit a photo of your favorite tree that inspired you to plant it forward. Upload your image to our photo uploader and choose Arbor Month.
- Is your community a Tree City USA yet? Many Minnesota communities proudly participate in the national Tree City USA program, which recognizes cities committed to caring for their urban forests. If your city is part of this program, there's likely an Arbor Month celebration near you! Check your city’s website to find events and join the celebration.
Great resources for choosing, planting, and caring for trees
- Select the right species for your area, and plant trees that are drought-tolerant in drier areas and flood-tolerant for flood-prone areas.
- Choose a diverse mix of climate adapted urban trees.
- Refer to the Planting trees and seedlings webpage for helpful videos and instructions on how to plant trees.
- Refer to the Caring for newly planted trees webpage for videos and tips on how to water newly planted trees and how to mulch a tree.
- Plant deciduous trees directly east and west of homes to reduce need for air conditioning.
- Add conifer trees to the northwest of homes to block cold winds and reduce the energy needed for heating.
- Shade streets by planting trees along boulevards to lower air temperatures and lower the effects of "urban heat island opens in a new browser tab opens in a new browser tab".
- Create vertical layers of trees and shrubs to intercept rain and reduce storm water runoff.
- Plant flood-tolerant species along streams or flood-prone areas. These species are suggested.
- Explore how to add trees and shrubs to make your yard more healthy, attractive, and valuable.
- When planting and mulching, be mindful of the spread of invasive species.