A HOMEOWNERS GUIDE to Creating a Healthy Yard

A TrAdiTionAl YArd and its problems

trees planted in the wrong place and the wrong way
Can lead to an unhealthy tree and early death, which increase maintenance costs. Avoid planting trees too deep, too shallow, and near overhead and underground utility lines. North poorly formed tree

Few vertical vegetative layers

leaning tree

Provide no habitat for wildlife that need layers such as leaf litter, herbaceous plants, shrubs, understory trees, and tree canopies. Lead to soil erosion and pollution runoff, which can cause poor water quality.

Few tree species

fenced yard Can be wiped out by pests such as budworms, emerald ash borer, and fungi that target one kind of tree. Wiping out many yard trees at once increases maintenance costs.

uninteresting view from deck

cement steps and sidewalks

Few native tree species

Is expensive. Nonnative trees are more costly to maintain; can attract nonnative, opportunistic wildlife; and are more likely to drive away beneficial wildlife. asphalt driveway

120'

tree planted too close to home no mulch

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ReSouRCeS
Benefits of Trees www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm Forest Layers files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/education/primer/chaptertwo.pdf Landscaping With Native Plants mndnr.gov/gardens/nativeplants/index.html Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee www.mnstac.org/ Minnesotas Native Tree Species files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/education/primer/appendixtwo.pdf Native Wildflowers of Minnesota www.minnesotawildflowers.info Planting Trees in Your Community Forest extension.psu.edu/ipm/resources/pestproblemsolver/forest-shade/planting/view Residential Tree Planting and Care: Right Tree, Right Place, Right Way mndnr.gov/treecare/residential.html Seasonal Care for Trees and Shrubs in Northern U.S. Climates www.myminnesotawoods. umn.edu/2008/04/seasonal-care-for-trees-and-shrubs-in-northern-u-s-climates-2/ Terrestrial Invasive SpeciesIdentification and Management mndnr.gov/invasives/terrestrial_id.html The Right Tree Brochure www.mnpower.com/treebook/ Tree & Shrub Selection: Recommended Trees for Minnesota by Region www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2008/11/recommended-trees-for-minnesota-by-region/ Tree Owners Manual for the Northeastern and Midwestern United States na.fs.fed.us/urban/treeownersmanual/
2012, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources FO-384-12

Impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete 90'

Collect pollutants, increase runoff, and raise the potential for flooding by preventing water from infiltrating soils, which leads to poor water quality.

compacted soil

Compacted soils
Provide no space for water, oxygen, nutrients, and room for roots to grow, which decreases a trees health. Increase runoff and flooding potential because water cant infiltrate the soil.

Ground covered mostly by lawn

Is expensive. Mulch naturally fertilizes soils. No mulch means that the soil is exposed to erosion, less able to hold moisture and nutrients, and needs more water and fertilizer. Mulch also protects tree roots from damage. Is less visually interesting and does not provide food and shelter for wildlife.

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Plant List
Herbaceous Plants A. Hosta
E D A

trees all the same age

Die around the same time and leave big gaps. Removing and replacing trees all at once may be costly.

Shrubs B. Lilac Canopy Trees C. Green ash D. Norway maple E. Red maple F. Colorado blue spruce

my yard? , shrubs, w diverse is ceous plants ourself: Ho ulch, herba Ask y re layers (m e two or mo Are ther y trees)? trees? rees, canop middle-aged nderstory t u ng, old, and ou e a mix of y ? Do I hav e to my area nativ Are my trees ials and perenn ees, shrubs, e plants t native tr about nativ Learn abou ucation class d ommunity e Take a c m rboretu me and Visit an a owly over ti your yard sl to transform -term plan w up a long Dra ity ers, ayers add divers edges, corn will create l trees along plants that d Choose , shrubs, an gs of plants ate groupin Cre cross -mow areas groupings a and hard-to large plant to create h neighbors Work wit ersity es ieve age div property lin years to ach y us plants gs over man d herbaceo gger plantin s, shrubs, an Sta native tree al different ecies Plant sever on native sp s less-comm rate ral ecosystem Incorpo nearby natu imic ecies that m Plant sp ment ing the ing environ ce, consider ealthy grow the right pla reate a h C nlight in t tree/shrub soils and su along with lant the righ P ng needs, ht and spaci plants heig pH ts n, drainage, requiremen e, compactio typ too deep) our soil for hrubs (not Check y r trees and s plant you season Properly hrubs each r trees and s you ch Maintain roblems su d tree ulch aroun nd disease p m ave insect a Properly borer hrubs that h emerald ash trees and s Avoid the deadly to h are subject as ash, whic ustard, rn, garlic m as bucktho d pests such e plants an trol invasiv Con d oak wilt. disease, an Dutch elm your yard! d show off eighbors an our n Welcome y

Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 651-296-6157 (Metro Area) or 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) (MN Toll-Free) mndnr.gov Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation, disability, or activity on behalf of a local human rights commission. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Printed on recycled paper containing 30 percent post-consumer fiber. Project Manager: Jennifer Teegarden Graphic Artist: Amy Beyer

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry

A HEALTHY YArd and its benefits

North fenced fruit and vegetable garden compost area

Interesting natural features such as stumps, logs, and tall perennials

Attract beneficial wildlife, happy children, and appreciative onlookers!
prairie/butterfly garden

Multiple vegetative layers (canopy, understory, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and leaf litter)
Save money. Keeping leaves means no costly trips to the compost site, free fertilizer for you, and less water use. Save money. Layers provide cooling shade and protection from wind and snow to buildings and roads. Clean water. Layers intercept rainfall and prevent rain and pollutants from entering storm sewers and water treatment plants.

deck with a view landscaping with natural elements driveway made of permeable pavers

Mulch to protect the soil

Saves money. Mulchwhether wood chips or leaves chopped with the lawn mowerhelps cool soil and roots, retains moisture, and prevents erosion from raindrop impact and sediments from entering water systems.

mulch around all plantings and trees

window-height bird feeders

Young, old, and middle-aged trees

Are more resilient. Trees in different stages of life blossom, seed, and die in different years, not all at once. Create multiple vegetative layers that are habitat for a diversity of beneficial wildlife. Provide a more visually interesting landscape.

permeable surfaces
gutter watering system sloped away from house 120'
rain gardens, which catch draining water, require digging out compacted soils and amending with compost

Reduce rainwater runoff and trap pollutants.

property value
90'

A variety of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants

Saves money. Native plants need less water and maintenance when adapted to local conditions and rainfall. Is resilient. A variety of native plants protects against large-scale devastation from tree pests such as emerald ash borer. Provides habitat for beneficial wildlife such as songbirds, butterflies, and mosquito-eating bats, frogs, and toads.
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A yard with well-maintained mature trees and native plants can increase the propertys value by up to 20 percent.

permeable driveway pavers

Plant List
Herbaceous Plants A. Prairie dropseed B. Little bluestem C. Purple coneower D. Rough blazing star E. Wild geranium F. Jacobs ladder G. Bloodroot H. Wild ginger I. Cardinal ower J. Swamp milkweed Low Shrubs K. Wild red raspberry L. Sweet lowbush blueberry M. Snowberry N. Low serviceberry O. Black chokeberry High Shrubs P. American hazel Q. Lilacs R. Nannyberry S. Red-osier dogwood T. American highbush cranberry U. Ninebark Understory Trees V. Northern white cedar W. Blue beech Canopy Trees X. Red maple Y. White oak Z. White spruce

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Arbor Month May 2012

mndnr.gov/arbormonth