City tree lottery open until Mar. 13

Thanks to overwhelming popularity, Minneapolis’ low-cost trees program operates by lottery. Minneapolis property owners can enter the lottery any time through Mar. 13. Lottery entrants will hear back Mar. 18. About 800 property owners will each be able to order a 5- to 8-foot tree to plant in their yards. Large species shade trees are $30 each. Fruit trees and smaller species are $40 each.

The 14 varieties available this year include large species, flowering trees and several kinds of fruit trees. Any Minneapolis property owner can register in the lottery to order a tree to plant on private Minneapolis property this spring. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery.

• Property owners can register for the lottery any time now through Mar. 13. The last people to register will have the same chances as the first.

• Low-cost trees are available for Minneapolis residents, businesses and nonprofits.

• Limit one tree per address.

• Trees must be picked up May 18, 19 or 20 at the City of Minneapolis Impound Lot at 51 Colfax Ave. N. Volunteers will be on hand to help load each new tree and a complimentary bag of mulch into vehicles.

• Go to http://treetrust.org/get-a-tree/mpls-tree-distribution-copy to register online.

In the past 13 years, the City Trees program has provided approximately 14,000 trees for planting on private property. The City Trees program helps meet Minneapolis’ health goal focusing on the well-being of people and the environment. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s tree canopy.