Minnesota's climate is changing. Average temperatures have risen across the state by 2°F since the earth 20th century. Since 2000, Minnesota has seen a significant increase in extreme rainstorms where rain amounts exceed 3 inches in 24 hours—increasing flooding. These changes affect where trees will thrive.
Planting a diversity of trees will make your yard more resilient to climate change. Use the map below to identify the right native tree species for your area. Contact a local tree nursery for help selecting a good tree for your yard. Check your local tree ordinance. Some cities ban planting species such as boxelder and cottonwood.

U.S. Forest Service climate change models predict these trees are likely to thrive in a changing climate.
Best Native Yard Trees For Our Changing Climate
North
- American elm
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Cottonwood
- Hackberry
- Quaking aspen
- Red maple
- Silver maple
- Sugar maple
North
- American elm
- Basswood
- Black cherry
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Red oak
- Quaking aspen
- Red maple
- Silver maple
- Sugar maple
- White oak
- White pine
North
- American elm
- Basswood
- Black cherry
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Cottonwood
- Hackberry
- Red oak
- Quaking aspen
- Red maple
- Silver maple
- Sugar maple
- White pine
West Central
- American elm
- Black oak
- Black walnut
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Cottonwood
- Hackberry
- Jack pine
- Shagbark hickory
- Silver maple
East Central
- American elm
- Basswood
- Black cherry
- Black oak
- Black walnut
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Hackberry
- Red maple
- Silver maple
- Sugar maple
- White oak
Metro
- American elm
- Basswood
- Black oak
- Black walnut
- Bur oak
- Cottonwood
- Hackberry
- Shagbark hickory
- Silver maple
- White oak
Southeast
- American elm
- Basswood
- Black oak
- Black walnut
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Hackberry
- Shagbark hickory
- Silver maple
- Swamp white oak
- White oak
West
- American elm
- Basswood
- Boxelder
- Bur oak
- Cottonwood
- Hackberry