Free trees
for frogtowN
Frogtown has less tree canopy on private land than any other city neighborhood. The energetic Tree Frogs are working to change that. This volunteer group has planted more than 1,000 trees in front and back yards, and on public spaces in Frogtown. Our goal is 1,000 more trees by 2027! JOIN US!
In 2024, through a collaboration with the US Forest Service, AmeriCorps, Tree Trust, Great River Greening and nearby neighborhood organizations, we helped to facilitate the planting of 216 trees in Frogtown, as well as in Hamline-Midway and Summit-University neighborhoods.
Check out our map showing where trees have been planted, from 2012 to 2023. Is your Frogtown Green tree on the map?
Want to set up a neighborhood tree giveaway program? Here's our guide!
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Interested in a Free tree? Here's how we do it!
Learn about our trees and fill out the order form.
From fruit to shade trees, we have something for every Frogtown yard! Read about our options and decide what's best for you. Then click the green button to tell us your tree preference.
In fall, you dig a hole, and we plant your tree.
Volunteers will plant the tree for you! All you have to do is dig a hole for your new tree. And you'll need to water it regularly! We'll send additional tips on how to take care of it.
Yep, we're not kidding, it's really free.
Our mission is to make Frogtown the greenest neighborhood in St. Paul. Trees give us shade and beauty. We all benefit from cleaner air, shadier streets, and a healthier community.
Not a home-owner?
No problem.
Over 65% of property in Frogtown is rental. We're working hard to get trees onto rental properties. If you're a tenant or a landlord, we can work with you. Contact Chris, 651-757-5970.
SHADE TREES: TALL
OAK
Common Name: Shingle Oak
Botanical Name: Quercus imbricaria
Mature Height: 50-60 ft
Mature Spread: 50-60 ft
Shape: Oval, pryamidal
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-5
Description: A medium statured oak that is native to the Chicago area. Smooth, emerald green leaves are unloved, disguising its oak heritage, but its crop of acorns and reddish-purple leaves in the fall are the proof. All species of mature oaks offer great habitat for urban wildlife.
image: bower&branch
HACKBERRY
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Common Name: Hackberry
Botanical Name:
Celtis occidentalis
Mature Height: 50-75 ft
Mature Spread: 50 ft
Shape: Spreading, rounded
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 2-7
Description: Known for its attractive, bark that is corky and rough in texture. The bright green, elm-like foliage turns to soft yellow in fall. Fruits are relished by wildlife. Extremely hardy and adaptable to alkaline soil, drought or wind. The nut-like fruit is edible and nutritious.
image: UMNextension.edu
ShADE Trees: Smaller
BIRCH
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Common Name: 'Heritage'
River Birch
Botanical Name:
Betula nigra 'Cully"
Mature Height: 40-70 ft
Mature Spread: 40-60 ft
Shape: Oblong or rounded
Exposure: Part shade to full sun
Zone: 4-9
Description: This medium sized Minnesota native tree is common in swamplands and river bottoms. Heavy exfoliating bark with salmon, cream and dark brown colored create year-round interest in both single stemmed and multi-stemmed forms. The 'Heritage variety is a vigorous grower that is resistant to the bronze birch borer. Prefers moist, fertile soils, but can tolerate drier conditions.
image: UMNextension.edu
BEECH
Common Name: 'Blue Beech'
Botanical Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Mature Height: 20-35 ft.
Mature Spread: 20-35 ft.
Shape: Rounded
Exposure: Full shade to full sun
Zone: 3-9
Description: A Minnesota native understory tree also known as the muscle wood, or American hornbeam. Its smooth blue-gray bark and interesting fluted trunk make it an attractive tree. Male and female catkins are present through winter and spring, with hop-like seeds in summer. Wildely adaptable to soil and moisture types.
image: bower&branch
Fruit & Ornamental TREES
PEACH
Common Name: 'Garnet Beauty' Peach
Botanical Name: Prunus persica 'Garnet Beauty'
Mature Height: 12-15 ft.
Mature Spread: 12-15 ft.
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-8
Description: Produces rounded, medium-large sized semi-freestone peaches with yellow flesh. Excellent for eating, freezing, or canning.
The 'Garnet Beauty' is self-pollinating but will produce larger crops with another variety of peach tree nearby for cross-pollination. Pink blossoms in the spring yield reddish blushed fruit in July. Expect tree to start fruiting 2-3 years after planting.
Maintenance: Self-pollinating, but regular maintenance required to produce a successful fruit yield.
image: bower & branch
PEAR
‘Common Name: 'Tawara' Asian Pear
Botanical Name:
Pyrus pyrifolia 'Tawara'
Mature Height: 15-18 ft.
Mature Spread: 8-12 ft.
Shape: Upright
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-8
Description: A small statured pear tree with white blossoms in spring and glossy, dark green leaves throughout the summer. The dark tan fruit is delicious fresh or canned and tastes like a cross between an apple and a pear. Self-pollinating, but will produce more fruit if near another pear variety. Will cross pollinate with European pear varieties ‘Seckel,’ Bosc,’ and ‘Bartlett.’
Maintenance: Self-pollinating, but regular maintenance required to produce a successful fruit yield.
image: Bailey Nurseries
CHERRY
‘Common Name: 'Sweet Cherry Pie' Cherry
Botanical Name:
Prunus cerasus ‘Eubank’
Mature Height: 15 ft
Mature Spread: 12 ft
Shape: Upright spreading
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-9
Description: The sweetest of the sour cherry varieties, and excellent for baking. You can expect an abundant number of cherries after three years of growth. Self-pollianting, but will produce larger crops with another variety of cherry tree nearby for cross-pollination.
Maintenance: Self-pollinating, but regular maintenance required to produce a successful fruit yield.
image: arborday.org
REDBUD
Common Name: "Minnesota Strain' Redbud
Botanical Name: Cercis canadensis 'Minnesota Strain'.
Mature Height: 25 ft
Mature Spread: 30 ft
Shape: Vase-like with umbrella canopy
Exposure: Part shade to full sun
Zone:4-7
Description: Smaller statured understory tree developed by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and bred to be hardy to zone 4. Clusters of rose-pink to magenta pea-like flowers in spring, with small seed pods in summer. Prefers well-drained soil and cannot tolerate salt.
NOTE: 2025 redbuds are smaller stock only 3-4 feet tall, but will grow quickly.
image: