City Celebrates 20 Years of Providing Low-Cost Trees

The City of Minneapolis is celebrating 20 years of growing the city’s tree canopy with its annual City Trees Sale. Since 2006, the Minneapolis City Trees program has provided nearly 26,000 trees for planting on private property, including hundreds of free trees for residents of the City’s Green Zone neighborhoods – those neighborhoods with low tree canopy. The City Trees Sale has grown significantly since 2006:

2006: 1,057 trees sold
2015: 2,792 trees sold
Total Trees Sold: 25,661 (2006-2025)
Commercial Property Trees Sold: 537 (2013-2025)
Green Zones: 375 free trees (2017-2025)

“For 20 years, City Trees has made it affordable for residents and businesses to plant trees and grow Minneapolis’ tree canopy,” said Sydney Schaaf, City Trees Manager. “Planting a tree is an investment in your home, your neighborhood and the future of our city.”

Free City trees are available for Green Zone residents

City Trees offers free trees for residents living in the Green Zones. Since the Green Zone Free Tree program began in 2017, the City has given away nearly 400 trees. The City and its partner, Tree Trust, will help you select and plant your tree. You can apply for a tree any time during the year. To qualify, you must:

Live in a Green Zone
Have enough green space for the tree(s)
Commit to watering your tree every week for the first three years

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply. We will reach out if you are not eligible.

City Trees for businesses

Minneapolis businesses, non-profit organizations, and apartment buildings with five or more units can purchase trees for their property for $30 each. More than 500 trees have been planted in local commercial areas over tha past 13 years. City Trees partners with Tree Trust to provide these low-cost trees and professionally plant them for businesses.

Utepils Brewery owner, Dan Justesen, shares his experience with the Minneapolis City Trees program

City Trees Sale – Act Fast

Act fast. There are fewer than 100 trees left in the Spring City Trees Sale. Minneapolis residents can order up to three $30 trees per planting address through the City Trees Sale, while supplies last. The trees must be ordered by May 15.

Residents who buy trees through the City Trees Sale must pick them up on one of the following dates: