MFI and McDonald’s Partner to Plant Trees

Click here to subscribe to the Minnesota Forest Industries web feed and keep up to date on thelatest news. To find out more about web feeds click here .

Don't Miss These Stories:
McDonald's Seedling Giveaway
Minnesota State Fair

Five lucky Minnesotans have brand new trees, thanks to Minnesota Forest Industries McDonald’s Restaurants.

It’s all part of McDonald’s 55,000-seedling giveaway, co-sponsored by MFI. Again, this year, folks who stopped by McDonald’s on Arbor Day not only received a free red pine seedling, but also had the chance to register for a 8-10 foot tree to be planted in their yard. More than 3,200 Minnesotans responded, and the winners were:

• Scott Austad, Mankato
• Donald Bruckhoff, Wells
• Sandy Langner, Columbia Heights
• Paul Madsen, Saginaw
• Nancy Walters, Osakis

Each winner was able to select a Minnesota-brown species of tree of their choice, and a local greenhouse came and planted it for them.

“Every Arbor Day, tens of thousands of Minnesotans enjoy getting a free seedling from their local McDonald’s, so again this year we teamed up with MFI to expand that fun with some larger trees,” said Jeff Smith, McDonald’s Co-Op President. “It’s great that so many Minnesotans want to add to the state’s beauty by planting trees.”

Wayne Brandt, MFI executive vice president, said those five tall trees won’t be alone.

“Minnesota is known for having bountiful forests that provide beauty, recreational opportunities and a variety of products we use every day,” said Brandt. “Today Minnesota has 20 million more large trees than it had 50 years ago. Because trees absorb carbon and forest products store carbon, these winners are doing their part in fighting global climate change. We’re pleased to work closely with McDonald’s to help add trees to Minnesota.”

Dan and Nancy Walters with their newly-planted Sugar Maple at their home just outside of Osakis.

Scott Austad (R) selected a blue spruce to be planted in his yard. At left is Ray Higgins of MFI.