(Below you will also find: Recommended Trees and Where to buy them)

Why Plant Native Trees?

“Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved. They are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive. Unfortunately, most of the landscaping plants available in nurseries are alien species from other countries. These exotic plants not only sever the food web, but many have become invasive pests, outcompeting native species and degrading habitat in remaining natural areas…The bottom line is this—homeowners, landscapers, and local policy makers can benefit birds and other wildlife by simply selecting native plants when making their landscaping decisions.”

—Audubon

A Note About Changing Climate in Minnesota and Trees

“Average minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation have all increased in Minnesota over the past century, and rain and snow patterns have shifted. And change continues: Over the lifetime of a tree planted today, meteorologists tell us that the number of frost-free days and the number of days with temperatures above 95 will increase; heat waves and storms will become more severe; and drought will become more of a problem.

In addition, climate change is expected to worsen the threat of wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, and invasive species. In fact, DNR Forestry has called climate change "the most significant threat to Minnesota's forests over the next century.”
—Minnesota DNR

Where to Buy Insecticide-free Regionally Native Trees
Dakota County Soil and Water annual seedling tree sale
Audubon Native Trees and Plants Specializes native trees but not local ecotype; online ordering
Ecoscapes Sustainable Landscaping: Offers insecticide-free, regionally native trees and shrubs
Great Plains Nursery: Large selection of regionally native trees and shrubs. Mail order available. Reasonably priced.
Prairie Restorations: Specializes solely in Minnesota native trees (Princeton, Minnesota)
Outback Nursery: Specializes solely in Minnesota native trees (Hastings, Minnesota)
Prairie Moon Nursery: Offers a small variety of regionally native, insecticide-free tree "whips."

Other Retailers that Offer Some Types of native trees (ask for regionally native --aka, "straight"--species specifically, and be sure to ask if trees have been grown with any systemic insecticide)
Bachman’s
City of Mendota Heights annual tree sale
Gerten’s