Knowledge Base

July 24, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is offering free trees to residents in select neighborhoods through its Healthy Trees Healthy City initiative. The program is designed to increase tree canopy, improve neighborhood livability and support environmental health. The City also received grant funding to prune public trees in qualified areas of Rochester. Pruning will occur in areas deemed a high priority by the City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Forestry Division. Tree planting will take place each spring and/or fall from 2025 through 2028.  

Thanks to multiple state and federal grants, including a major award from the USDA Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), property owners in Census Tracts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are eligible to receive a free tree planted in their yard. These neighborhoods were identified using the federal Environmental Justice (EJ 40) mapping tool as areas most in need of urban forestry investment. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to help grow a greener healthier Rochester,” said City Forester Jeff Haberman. “Trees provide so many benefits including cooling our homes, improving air quality, mitigating the effects of stormwater runoff, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and beautifying our community. We are grateful for this partnership and the support of community organizations helping us reach residents.” 

Postcards have been mailed to property owners in eligible neighborhoods with information on how to apply.  

A Three-Phased Grant Approach to Urban Forestry

The Healthy Trees Healthy City initiative is supported by three grant programs: 
Inflation Reduction Act Grant (USDA Forest Service) 

1. This $1 million federal grant is the largest funding source and supports tree planting on private properties. The goal of this grant is to plant 2,000 trees on private property between 2025 and 2028. Trees can be planted to provide food, for energy savings or to increase shade on paved surfaces. 
    

2. 2023 Shade Tree Bonding Grant (Minnesota DNR) 
   This $428,450 grant funds the planting of 1,025 additional trees along public streets and right-of-way areas. It may expand tree planting efforts in up to nine more disadvantaged areas identified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The project helps replace trees affected by emerald ash borer and adds to the urban tree canopy in public spaces. 
    

3. 2023 ReLeaf Grant (Minnesota DNR) 
   This $500,000 grant funds maintenance work including tree pruning and structural care. It will also support work in additional areas. The grant connects forestry efforts with broader goals for public health and sustainability. 
    

Together these grants support a three-part strategy to improve access to trees in underserved areas by planting on private property, adding trees along streets and maintaining the health of existing trees. 

Benefits of Planting a Tree

• Provide protection from sun in urban environments. 

• Help homes conserve energy year-round. 

• Increase property values. 

• Remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

• Capture storm water reducing peak flows during rain events. 

For more information, please visit the City of Rochester website.