Arbor Day is April 28, 2023 and May is Arbor Month
You can plant and care for trees to make them more resilient!
Minnesotans can plant resilient trees now to support resilient community forests into the future by thoughtfully choosing, planting, and caring for a diverse mix of trees.
Minnesota’s trees are being stressed by increasing pressure from changing temperatures and precipitation, and more extreme weather events. You can make your tree more resilient to these stressors by selecting a healthy tree adapted to changing climate conditions. By choosing a species that adds to the diverse mix of trees in your area, you improve the resilience of your community forest too!
Choosing trees that are resilient to a changing climate will help our community forests store carbon, improve air and water quality, and other benefits healthy trees provide. So, by planting a tree this Arbor day or Arbor month, you contribute to the efforts of others and together provide your community with health and other benefits of the urban forest.
Start by choosing a tree suitable for the location you will be planting it. Then make your tree more resilient by properly planting and caring for it.
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.
- Planting trees and seedlings webpage has helpful videos and instructions on how to plant trees.
- Caring for newly planted trees webpage features videos and tips on how to water a newly planted tree 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, reducing the energy needed for heating.
- Shade streets by planting trees along boulevards to lower air temperatures and prevent the effects of "urban heat island".
- 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.
Governor’s Arbor Day and Arbor Month 2023 Proclamations
Best native yard trees for our changing climate
Need more ideas for a tree to plant? These brief videos explore Minnesota native trees that will do well in our changing climate: Best native yard trees for our changing climate
Watch a recording of our 2021 Ask a Forester live session from Arbor Day where our experts answered questions on planting and caring for trees in a changing climate.
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Help spread the word by sharing Arbor Day and Arbor month tips and advice on planting resilient trees!
- Watch for and share daily Arbor Month tweets from DNR Forestry (@mnforestry)
- Watch for and share weekly Arbor Month posts on the DNR's Facebook page (@MinnesotaDNR) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/minnesotadnr/)