The Arrowhead region of Minnesota, known as the Northern Superior Uplands subsection, includes all or parts of Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties.
This area is characterized by bedrock terrain peppered with many lakes and thin deposits of coarse loamy soil. The region receives more of its precipitation as snow than any section in the state, has the longest period of snow cover, and has the shortest growing season.
Forests with red and white pine were widespread in the past, mixed with aspen, paper birch, spruce, and balsam fir. Much of the pine was cut in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leaving forests dominated mostly by aspen and paper birch. Jack pine forests are present on droughty ridges and bedrock exposures, as well as on local sandy outwash deposits. The highlands along Lake Superior have a local climate moderated by the lake that favors forests dominated by sugar maple with some white pine, yellow birch and northern white cedar.
Recommended trees and plants
*This species of red oak is most susceptible to oak wilt. Check your area’s current oak wilt risk.
**Due to Dutch elm disease, only plant disease-resistant varieties of American elm.
The following plants native to this region are also found further south. They should be well-equipped to adjust to our climate as it becomes warmer and wetter. These native plants also provide diverse benefits to microfauna, such as pollinators, other insects, birds and bats.
Creating climate refugia
Models of the state’s future climate may not favor the survival of some species you currently see in your woods. However, that doesn’t mean these species don’t hold intrinsic ecological, cultural or economic value. You can work to retain these species in your landscape and protect them from the impacts of climate change by creating forest refugia.
Species in this region that may be most vulnerable to climate change, pests and diseases:
- Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white spruce (Picea glauca) are projected to be vulnerable to a changing climate in this ecoregion. Balsam fir and white spruce are also the preferred hosts for eastern spruce budworm, a native insect in northeastern Minnesota’s forests. These two species provide many benefits to wildlife including moose and white-tailed deer, but also increase the fuel load for forest fires. In this region, consider diversifying stands with a large component of balsam fir and white spruce to reduce the impacts of spruce budworm and mitigate fire risk while still maintaining the winter food source and thermal cover provided by these conifer species.
- Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are both projected to do well in warmer and wetter climates but are both extremely vulnerable to emerald ash borer.
- Black ash is a cultural and ecological keystone species in northern Minnesota and is an essential part of Minnesota’s forests. If ash is present in your woodland, learn how you can manage ash woodlands in response to emerald ash borer.
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is also projected to do well but is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. With no disease-resistant cultivars of slippery elm currently available, landowners should be cautious in choosing where to encourage this tree.
- Paper birch (Betula papyrifera), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) are projected to be vulnerable to a changing climate in this ecoregion. These species prefer medium to coarse, well-drained soil. Choose sites with full sun to support the establishment of seedlings and thin stands of mature trees to promote sufficient growing space.
Regardless of which species you are managing, we encourage you to work with a natural resource professional as decisions about climate adaptation and pest and disease management are site-specific, nuanced, and complex.
Potential future tree species
As our climate changes, some tree species might be able to move into new areas as habitat becomes more suitable. Climate scientists with the USDA Forest Service have identified tree species with migration potential in the Northern Superior Uplands.
Planting species not historically found in the region does carry some risk. Before you plant, learn more about assisted migration strategies, and work with a forester or another natural resource professional to determine the best options for your land and goals.
Woodlands of Minnesota Handbook
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a series of woodland handbooks that provide landowners with information on regional conditions, frequent challenges, and advice on setting and reaching management goals.
The Northern Superior Uplands handbook includes information on wildlife, plants, invasive species, geology, landscape and watershed management for this special region of northeastern Minnesota.
Reviewed in 2024