Minnesota Trees

I find it kind of strange the Red Pine is the state tree of Minnesota yet it isn’t very abundant in our state.  It doesn’t even make the top 10 list of abundant trees in Minnesota.

Q: Which tree species are most abundant in Minnesota?

A: Our most abundant tree species in Minnesota is the quaking aspen with an estimated population of more than 3.5 billion. The next most abundant species (in order) are balsam fir, black spruce, black ash, paper birch, tamarack, red maple, northern white cedar, sugar maple and balsam poplar.

Curtis Vanderschaaf, biometrician, DNR Forestry Division, resource assessment

Want to know why the Red Pine is the state tree?  Here’s why…

Tree

The red or Norway pine (Pinus resinosa) was made official in 1953. (Minnesota Statutes 1.143)

Through the efforts of the Friday Study Club in Minneapolis, and backed by the Minnesota Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Norway pine designation was passed in 1953. It was sponsored by Sen. Gordon H. Butler and Rep. George A. French, and signed into law by Governor C. Elmer Anderson on February 18, 1953. The language of Chapter 20 noted the sturdiness and majesty of the tree, and how it helped lay the foundation for the wealth of Minnesota.