2025 Tree Giveaway
New Prague will be hosting a Tree Giveaway event on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, from 10:00 am -11:30 am at the Memorial Park picnic shelter near the softball fields. Only New Prague City residents will be able to participate in this free event and must provide a valid ID and recent utility bill.
Unlike the previous Tree Giveaway events, the City will only be offering bareroot American Hazelnut shrubs. From the roots to the branches, the shrub will be between 3’-4’ tall. Residents must preorder the shrub before the event by emailing Kyra Chapman at kchapman@ci.new-prague.mn.us the completed Tree Giveaway Form, which can be found at the bottom of this webpage. Staff will send you an email confirmation of your order. By the courtesy of Park Maintenance Department, free woodchips will be provided. City residents are limited to a maximum of one shrub per household. If you live in an apartment, townhome, or condominium please email Kyra Chapman a copy of the written permission from your HOA to allow the shrub planting. If you do not have written consent from your HOA, you cannot preorder the shrub.
There is a limited supply of shrubs, so please order ahead of time. Staff highly recommend planting the purchased shrubs on the day of the event to ensure the well-being and growth of the plant.
If you have any questions, please email or call Kyra Chapman at kchapman@ci.new-prague.mn.us or (952) 758-4401.
Quick Information on the American Hazelnut Shrub
- It’s a native shrub found mostly in the eastern United States
- Commonly used as windbreaks, visual screens, and attracting wildlife
- Once mature, they grow between 15’-18’ tall with a spread of 10’-12’
- Medium to fast growth
- Prefers soils that are acidic, alkaline, clay, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, and well-drained
- Prefers full sun or partial sun/shade
- Produces nuts that attract wildlife such as squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, pheasants, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m not able to make it to the event but I still want to participate. What do I do?
A: A family or friend can pick it up for you. They’ll need to provide a picture copy of your recent utility bill and ID. Otherwise, you can pick up the shrub the following week during normal business hours at City Hall (8:00am-4:30pm). However, staff would like to mention that the well-being of the shrub will diminish the longer it’s not in the ground. If neither of those options work, please communicate this with Kyra Chapman at 952-758-4401 or kchapman@ci.new-prague.mn.us
Q: How do I plant the shrub?
A: Please watch this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KILm-tZBvTo
Q: I live in Cedar Lake. Does that mean I can participate?
A: Unfortunately, Cedar Lake is outside city limits and therefore you cannot participate in the event.
Q: How do I know if I live in City limits?
A: If you pay City taxes and receive a city utility bill that means you reside within City limits. If you’re uncertain, please contact Kyra Chapman and she can verify your address. Otherwise, please see the below map (titled "CityStreetMap_June_2024"), showing New Prague’s city limits.
Q: Why are you doing a Tree Giveaway Event?
A: To maintain our status as a Tree City USA, New Prague must celebrate Arbor Day annually. Having a Tree Giveaway is a great way to recognize Arbor Day.