Bemidji Gets 5,000 More Free Trees After Sellout

When Bemidji residents snapped up 10,000 free tree seedlings in just two days, organizers knew they'd struck a chord.

The Reforest Bemidji program launched earlier this month to help restore the area's tree canopy after last year's devastating storm damage. The original batch of seedlings vanished through pre-orders so quickly that many residents were left empty-handed.

First National Bank Bemidji saw an opportunity to help. The bank is now funding 5,000 additional free seedlings for the community, available Sunday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at the Sanford Center.

Let's Plant Trees, the organization behind the program, says the rapid response reveals something powerful about this Minnesota community. After storms stripped away parts of their tree cover, residents aren't just complaining or waiting for someone else to fix it.

The Sunday pickup works differently from the original distribution. No pre-orders are required, but trees will go fast on a first-come, first-served basis.

Residents who already reserved seedlings through the pre-order system should stick to their original plan. Those pickups happen Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at the Sanford Center.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about replacing lost trees. When 15,000 families plant seedlings in their yards, parks, and neighborhoods, they're creating shade that will cool summer streets for decades. They're building habitats for birds and pollinators that struggled after the storms.

Every tree planted this spring represents one household choosing to invest time and care into their community's future. The seedlings are free, but the real cost is the commitment to water, protect, and nurture them through their vulnerable first years.

That 48-hour sellout wasn't just enthusiasm. It was thousands of neighbors saying yes to that commitment simultaneously.

The bank's decision to fund more trees means 5,000 additional chances for residents to join this community-wide restoration effort.