MINNESOTA

Resilient Forest Restoration

Northern Minnesota forests have become simplified over time due to past management practices, reduction in natural disturbance (fire), and increased herbivory from deer. Forests in this region are now composed of fewer and shorter-lived tree species and provide less biodiversity values and carbon storage than their potential based on the tree species the plant communities could support. The Nature Conservancy has been working to restore important tree species and expand the ranges of climate adapted tree species that will improve habitat values in priority landscapes including the headwaters of important watersheds, riparian forests along lake shores and trout streams, and degraded forests along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Restored and resilient forests will provide a wide range of ecological benefits and improved ecological service including improved water quality in trout streams and other water bodies, sediment reduction in streams and lake superior, improved habitat values for species of greatest conservation need according to MN’s state wildlife action plan, soil stabilization in the face of more intense rain events, carbon storage will improve by shifting forest composition to species that live longer and grow larger.

Tree Species

white spruce 410,000,
white pine 360 000,
red pine 130 000,
red oak 70 000,
jack pine 9000,
black spruce 8000,
tamarack 5000,
Northern white cedar 4000,
yellow birch 2000,
swamp white oak 2000

Planting program information with usage permission provided by One Tree Planted