DNR Kills Weeds to Establish Trees

Herbicides will be applied to approximately 147 acres of state land in the Backus area and approximately 192 acres of state land in the Park Rapids area in an effort to control vegetation and help establish new forests. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the applications will begin around mid July and end about Aug. 15. All sites treated with herbicides will have signs posted.

The DNR plants trees on state lands to reforest harvested areas, provide wildlife habitat, protect watershed values and maintain the quality of state forests. Professional foresters determine the tree species appropriate for the site. The DNR hires private contractors to do the actual planting.

Conifers are the major species planted. About 800,000 white pines are planted on Minnesota’s forests annually. Many other native tree species are also planted. Oak and other hardwoods, for example, are widely planted in the state forests of southeastern Minnesota.