MNSTAC Monthly Forums

Monthly forums address issues in urban forestry, arboriculture, and research. Forums are typically held on the third Thursday of the month.

To view past presentations, visit the Forum Presentations page.

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May 2026 Forum
*No forum*

Due to the activation of the busy growing season, we do not hold a forum in May.​

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June 2026 Forum
Tour of Hennepin County's Gravel-bed Nursery

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Date: Wednesday, June 3rd
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
ISA CEUs: 1.0
No registration required

Description
​Join us for a tour of one of the largest -- if not the largest -- gravel beds in the world!

"Most of the trees the county plants come from the county's gravel-bed nursery, located at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility in Plymouth. The gravel-bed nursery gives the county access to hardy, diverse and cost-effective trees for use on county projects and properties.

Every spring, 2,000 young saplings of a variety of species are purchased from commercial nurseries and planted in the gravel-bed. The trees grow and develop a robust fibrous root system throughout the summer, and are ready to be transplanted in the fall.

Compared to conventional nursery trees, the gravel-bed nursery gives the county access to a wider diversity of tree species, produces trees that have a good survival rate, and allows the county to plant trees in a more cost-effective manner. The gravel-bed nursery is also helping the county proactively replace ash trees that will ultimately be infested with the emerald ash borer." (Hennepin County)

Join in person

• Location: Hennepin County Gravel-bed Nursery in Plymouth
• Parking: ​This is the location of the parking lot to use, found at 44°59'25.6"N 93°28'49.0"W (It is also the lot for the Parker’s Lake Golf Center.) Once you park, you will see the signs directing you into the nursery gates.
• Bus: Local bus routes for the City of Plymouth. Stop 23 on the 747 Bus appears to be the closest point to the forum location. The stop is about 1 mile from the meeting point, and it is unclear what the sidewalk conditions are like (if any). 
• Additional notes: This event is outside. Please dress accordingly.

Join online

• (Not available for this forum.)

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