2015 Arbor Month Celebrates How To Plant Trees Strong for Long, Healthy Lives

With Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, and Arbor Month, May, just around the corner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages people to plant more trees. This year’s theme, “Plant Strong, Live Long” focuses on tree planting tips.
“Properly planting a tree is simple but requires some preparation,” said Jennifer Teegarden, DNR forestry outreach specialist. “Planting trees too deeply is a common mistake that can stress a tree and shorten its life.”
To help Minnesotans get their trees off to a strong, healthy and long life, the DNR has created simple how-to instructions in a handy “Pocket Guide to Planting Trees.” Also available on the DNR website is a short, 2.42-minute video, “How to Plant Tree Seedlings.” It can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/kou8esz.
Request a copy of the pocket guide or planting cards by contacting the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us, 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.
Visit www.mndnr.gov/arbormonth to download the guide and planting cards, learn more about tree care and find a celebration location. Teegarden recommends a few tips for planting trees:
• Pick a tree that is best suited for the planting site.
• Always keep the tree’s roots moist until you plant it.
• Make sure the top of the tree’s first woody root is planted at ground level. • Layer 2 to 4 inches of mulch around tree, keeping mulch away from trunk. • Water newly planted trees at least once a week for three years.
To celebrate Arbor Month 2015, the DNR is partnering with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to plant 150 trees at Stewart Park with 1,300 students from Andersen United Community School.