Memorial Tree Planting Sites
The Chippewa National Forest has had a successful tree planting partnership with the National Forest Foundation, American Forests, and Arbor Day Foundation. Grants from these foundations has provided funding for reforestation projects throughout the Forest. In 2019 the Chippewa National Forest planted 1.5 million trees across the Forest. In 2018, the Forest planted 1.4 million trees.
Donations made in memory of loved ones to these foundations also has provided funding for tree planting at the Forest's memorial tree planting site near Lake Winnibigoshish.
Visit a Tree Planting Site
Throughout the year the Chippewa National Forest receives many calls from people hoping to visit the memorial tree planting site where trees have been planted in memory of a loved one. The Birches picnic area is the Forest's designated memorial tree planting site.
Tamarack Road/Birches Picnic Area
The Birches Picnic Area is 2.4 miles off County Road 9. New pine seedlings have been planted along the road just ½ mile before the Picnic Area driveway. This open areaThis accessible lakeside picnic spot is a peaceful area to view the newly planted trees, remember loved ones and appreciate the beauty of the northwoods.
Directions to Birches Picnic Area: From Deer River, Minn., take Highway 2 one mile west to Highway 46 north. Travel 12 miles north to County Road 9, also known as the Winnie Dam Road. Turn west on County 9, travel six miles to the Tamarack Road, Forest Road 2163. You will see a see a Forest Service sign for Tamarack Campground and Birches Picnic Area. Follow this gravel road three miles to the Birches Picnic Area.
Please note that while a sign will be installed identifying the Memorial Tree Planting Site, the seedlings are not individually identified or labeled in any way.
Area Map | Enlarged Area Map
Identifying Trees
Here are some simple ways to identify the trees found in the memorial tree planting area.
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