EcoVillage Tree Nursery Open to All of NoMi!

Post and photos by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director

Several weeks ago, the EcoVillage Tree Nursery received a new supply of trees, and I received a fresh supply of Polish sausage for my efforts. The sausage didn't last long at all, but many trees are still there. Pictured above are the first two non-Hawthornites to pick up their trees this summer. Parts of this post originally appeared on the Johnny Northside blog. However, on Hawthorne Voices, we will detail which trees, and how many, are left.

Initially, the trees were reserved for Hawthorne residents only. The reason being that Hawthorne residents and members have been the ones working on the EcoVillage, and some neighborhood funding has been used for this project. So our neighbors should get some benefit from that.

There are still quite a few nice trees left though, and if you want one, here's how it works.

First, in order to qualify, you must be a property owner who lives in north Minneapolis. If demand is high, preference will be given to owner-occupants, but for now any property owner is eligible. Second, and this is important: even though the trees are free, DO NOT JUST GO AND PICK ONE UP. The city of Minneapolis wants to track where these trees go, and if they survive at similar rates to other parts of the city.

So if you want a tree, please call the Hawthorne office at 612-529-6033 or email me at jskrenes@hawthorneneighborhoodcouncil.org to set up a time for a pick-up. The nursery is not secured, so we're going on the honor system here. We'll need to get the address where the tree will be planted, as well as contact information.

Also, as you can see from the photo above, you'll need either a pickup truck or a van/SUV with a window that can be opened. Or a wheelbarrow. I've seen people cart their trees away in those too. But trees are available to any NoMi resident! Come and get 'em!

Pictured above is the Burgundy Belle Maple (click for an image of what a mature one looks like). There are three of those trees currently available.

Below is a Regal Prince Oak. There are three of those left as well. However, two of the three have red ribbons around them. Those weren't there before, so it may be that one of the EcoVillage or other community partners has reserved them. Please do not take trees with a red ribbon until this has been clarified.




Here we have a Greenspire Linden. There are eight Greenspire trees available.




There are fourteen Redmond Linden trees in the nursery, but two are marked with a red ribbon and may therefore be reserved already.




There are four Kentucky Coffeetrees still in the nursery as well.




We have one Accolade Elm left.




And there is one Swamp White Oak still available.




Call the Hawthorne office at 612-529-6033 to set up a time to pick up your new tree!