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Minneapolis Urban Forest

The urban forest is a major capital asset in any city. In Minneapolis, more than 979,000 trees provide incredible beauty and shade while covering more than 26% of our urban landscape. The majority of Minneapolis’ trees belong to five species: green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (14.4%), sugar maple Acer saccharum (13.1%), norway maple Acer platnoides (11.8 %), littleleaf linden Tilia cordata, (10.4%) and the American elm Ulmus Americana (9.9%).

In Minneapolis, close to a million trees provide shade and the urban canopy such as on this street. (Tree Trust)

Our urban canopy is an important resource for the health and well-being of our environment and society. Well placed trees:

• Lower air-conditioning costs and reduce winter heating bills
• Hold soil in place - preventing erosion
• Absorb stormwater that might otherwise pollute our waterways
• Cleanse the air by producing oxygen, and helping remove sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide - two components of acid rain and ozone pollution
• Slow global climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, the largest greenhouse gas.
• Cool the City by reducing the heat island effect
• Reduce noise pollution
• Provide a wildlife habitat
• Increase property values

City of Minneapolis and the Urban Forest

The Minneapolis City Council and the Mayor, along with a number of City departments and divisions, and affiliated commissions actively work with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to maintain a healthy urban forest with our city limits. City departments actively involved in the process include Public Works, Planning Division of CPED, Regulatory Services, Environmental Management, Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the Committee on Urban Environment.

• The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board plants more than 2,500 trees annually along city boulevards and parks
• In 2006, the Minneapolis provided funding to Tree Trust to coordinate planting more than 1000 trees by residents on private property within the city.
• Forestry Division of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is responsible for planting, pruning and removing of trees along the city’s streets, boulevards and parks. More information is available at the Forestry Division.
• The City’s Zoning Code Chapter 530.160 requires tree plantings and other landscaping when there is major development or redevelopment.
• The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the Minneapolis City Council has a City of Minneapolis Urban Forest Policy in place. This Urban Forest Policy is a collaborative effort of MPRB staff, City staff and other professionals involved with urban forest management in Minneapolis. The policy considers the urban forest an important city resource and promotes the benefits of preserving, maintaining and planting trees in our society and environment.

Translating the benefits of the Minneapolis Urban Forest

The US Forest Service recently conducted a study of Minneapolis trees and found that the more than 979,000 trees annually save the city:

• $6.8 million in energy costs
• $9.1 million in stormwater treatment and
• $7.1 million in aesthetic and property values

View the US Forest Service study on Minneapolis’ Urban Forest.

Help keep Minneapolis’ trees healthy

What can we do to keep our urban forest healthy? There are several good web sites with information about the care and upkeep of our local urban tree population.

• Plant or prune a tree!
  Visit MNTrees.org, Tree Trust, or Tree Link sites for more information.
• Water trees during a long hot spell – including those along the street or boulevard!
  The Park Board has some tips on how to water trees.

Threats to Minneapolis trees

The urban forest is under constant threat. Minneapolis trees have been victim to several natural and man-made threats. New home constructions, natural weather events, and tree diseases have taken a heavy toll on our urban forest in recent years. Here are a few links on the threats to the urban forest and how to proactively take steps to stem the threats to the trees in our community.

• How to protect trees during a home construction/remodeling project
• Typical tree insects and diseases
• Dutch Elm disease
• Elm Tree Injections (PDF)

Contact information

For information and issues concerning City boulevard trees contact the Forestry Division of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board at (612) 370-4900.

City Sustainability Resources

Minneapolis Sustainability Initiatives

2005 Annual Sustainability Report (PDF)