TREES FOR ALL
Why we do it
Human Nature’s free tree program exists to increase the climate resilience of neighborhoods — But there are so many more benefits to planting trees with your neighbors.
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Heat rays from the sun bounce off of pavement and amplify heat, when then leads to higher electricity bills from heavy use of air conditioners. Shade from tall, mature trees is one of the easiest ways to reduce this effect!
Read more about Urban Heat Island Effect here: https://climate.state.mn.us/identifying-vulnerable-neighbors-twin-cities
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The City of Saint Paul wants at least 4,000 trees planted a year between 2026 and 2031, and the greatest potential for space is in privately owned yards. Human Nature is working towards that goal, too.
Find out more about St Paul’s goals: https://engagestpaul.org/climate2025
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When you sign up for a tree with Human Nature, we’re with you the whole way. We help site your tree so that you don’t disturb any utilities, and will talk to you about the pros and cons of any of the trees we offer.
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We offer a selection of fruit trees for the nature nervous and those who seek a source of fresh produce on their property. Helping our neighbors become not just self reliant, but a resource for those around them, all feeds back into our goal of building community for the sake of resilience.
Find out more about Food Sovereignty: https://viacampesina.org/en/2003/01/food-sovereignty/
TRee WAITLIST
Our trees won’t be here until May 2026. If you are interested in our free tree program, sign up here and we’ll let you know when our trees arrive!
How It Works
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From the tree stock list, pick your top three and submit the tree sign-up form. If you’re signing up for the next year, you may not see options to pick a tree yet— Sign up for the waitlist and we’ll notify you!
Depending on your address, we’ll see if we can service you!
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We will send you a text or email regarding your form to let you know if you got a slot to adopt your free tree.
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We’ll send you a link to schedule a site visit where we’ll mark the planting site for utility checks and give you a short rundown of how to care for a tree. Here we’ll also ask for your outside water availability and your ability to dig a hole, or to have a neighbor dig one for you.
You may be eligible for more than one tree depending on the space on your property!
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Since this is a free program, we ask participants to, well, participate! If you can, we will ask you to dig a hole, find someone who can, or volunteer on tree planting day.
We’ll tell you the dates!
The hole you dig should be circular, with a rounded bottom like a bowl. A 1.5 foot diameter of the circle is best.
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Depending on the scheduling of our team, your tree will be planted before or on planting day.
That means either Xiem or Chris will come and plant, or if you are scheduled on volunteer day, a neighbor volunteer will come to your house and plant your tree. You don’t have to be home, but you do need to make sure we have access to water and where your hole is planted!
This means there must be an unlocked gate and a hose or 5 gallon bucket of water.
F.A.Q.
Frequently asked questions about our tree program!
If your question wasn’t answered, send an email to chris@humannaturemn.org
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We cannot plant on city right of way unless you have filled out a permit with the city of Saint Paul to get permission. That means we cannot plant on the boulevard in front of your house!
We also will not plant within a 10 ft distance of a water, gas, internet, or electric utility. That means we won’t plant under cables, if we know the tree will grow too tall!
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If you are elderly, disabled, or for another reason cannot dig your hole, we can do it the day of planting— however, we ask that you try your best to first find a neighbor, friend, or family member who will do it for you.
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Yes! But of course, we will always accept donations.
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Though we don’t offer leafless trees, we do order a variety of shade and fruit trees that have different characteristics. Depending on your needs and location we can find something that fits your yard.
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We plant in Frogtown, Historic Rondo and North End. If you are in Hamline Midway, email info@hamlinemidway.org
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You’ll need to get permission from your landlord! We can send a letter of support, if that will help. If you are in a multi-unit dwelling, hearing from multiple tenants that they want trees will often sway a landlord.
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If you can prove that your trees will have public benefit, i.e. they are over a parking lot or shade a sidewalk, or are in a public green space that your business helps to manage, we can plant for you!
If your trees are not for public benefit, we cannot give you free trees.
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We typically plant trees in fall, after nursing the saplings in our gravel bed over the summer. Fall and spring, rainy cool weather, are the best times to plant trees to guarantee survival.