How Do I Get Paid To Plant Trees On My Property In Minnesota?

Anyone who has driven throughout Minnesota in the fall knows what trees do for this state. They color the hillsides around the state, shade the trout streams down south, and hold the soil in place when the spring melt comes roaring through.

Forests slow runoff, fight erosion, rebuild healthy soil, and give wildlife a place to live. They also make the whole landscape more resilient when drought or flooding hits, which, lately, feels like a when and not an if.

Trees, in other words, are working for all of us, whether we own an acre or not.

The DNR Wants To Help Pay For New Forests

That brings us to a program all landowners should know about. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the second round of its Field to Forest Cost Share Program, with a deadline of December 1.

Get our free mobile app

According to the DNR, private landowners can receive up to 75% reimbursement of tree-planting costs, plus an additional $500 per acre once their planting is complete.

The idea is to turn open ground that used to be forest, such as former pastures or crop fields, back into woodland. Reports indicate the program covers large-scale planting or seeding on three acres or more, and each project must include at least three tree species to keep the new forest diverse and healthy. It is not meant for residential landscaping, planting inside existing forests, or converting grasslands.

How It Pays Off Over Time

While the reimbursement checks are great, the benefits go beyond the financial aspect. The DNR stresses that transforming open land into forest can raise a property's value, open the door to future timber income, and create new recreational opportunities, such as hunting and wildlife viewing, for future generations.

The first round, which opened in 2025, drew strong interest statewide. More than 100 landowners signed up to plant or seed 935 acres this spring. One of them was Robert Dahl of Tamarack, who planted 7,700 trees alongside his son.

SEE NOW: Minnesota Has Over 400 Farmers Markets. Here’s How To Find The Best One Near You

"I'm hoping to make this land forested for my kids to enjoy," Dahl said. "I want to improve wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities on this land, but I have the future generations of my family in mind while I'm working it."

How To Apply

Funding is limited, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications being continually reviewed, so interested landowners shouldn't wait.

Seedlings can be purchased through Soil and Water Conservation Districts, private nurseries, or the State Forest Nursery, and projects are scheduled through spring 2027. To get started, landowners should reach out to their local stewardship forester or visit the DNR cost-share webpage.

Dahl said it best when he talked about planting for his grandkids. The trees going in the ground this year won't reach full height in our lifetimes, and that's rather the point. Somebody planted the forests we enjoy today, and now there's a little help for the folks willing to plant the next ones.

The $1,000 Backyard Mistake: 11 Things You Are Legally Banned From Burning in Minnesota

Think you can burn anything in your backyard? Think again. Under Minnesota Statute § 88.171, the state has a strict rules on burning.

If you get caught throwing the wrong thing into your fire pit, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and be penalized with up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Gallery Credit: Troy Dunken