SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) led a bipartisan group of legislators to purchase and hand out trees to the Minnesota House of Representatives. This unique bipartisan tradition has been celebrated around each Arbor Day for 25 years.
“Arbor Day is a day where we come together as Minnesotans to celebrate nature and to help our outdoors by planting a tree,” said Rep. Hansen. “Trees benefit future generations, just as the legislation we consider at the Capitol should.”
This year the group distributed Norway Pine, also known as Red Pine. Established as the official state tree in 1953, Norway Pine can grow to heights of 60 to 150 feet and live for about 400 years. It is used commercially as structural timber and pulpwood, as well as for mining timbers, railroad ties, poles, and pilings. The Norway Pine is also noteworthy for its resistance to insects and diseases.
Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL – Brooklyn Center), Rep. Greg Boe (R – Chaska), and Rep. Rod Hamilton (R – Mountain Lake) were included in the bipartisan group of Arbor Day legislators.