Forestry
Division Services & Information
The mission of the Bismarck Forestry Division is to manage and improve the health of the urban forest while enhancing the quality of life for our growing community.
Responsibilities
- Landscaping information
- Planting, pruning, and removal of trees
- Insects, diseases, and abiotic damage information
- Urban forestry information
- Community resources and programs
Hot Topics
Winter is a great time to prune trees!
Winter pruning has many advantages over pruning in the warmer months. Some of the advantages of winter pruning include:
- Easier to see the structure of the tree and areas of deadwood.
- Less likely to interrupt the tree’s growth cycle and reduces stress such as drought, pests, and diseases.
- Reduces the spread of diseases which are easily spread during the warmer months such as Dutch elm disease, fireblight, and oak wilt.
- Reduces the risk of soil compaction in your yard if heavy equipment is needed.
For more information on pruning both mature and young trees click here for information published by treesaregood.org.
How to Prevent Snow and Ice Damage on Trees and Shrubs
Heavy amounts of snow and ice on the branches of trees and shrubs can cause considerable damage. Multi-stemmed evergreens, such as junipers and arborvitae, and weak-wooded deciduous trees, such as Siberian elm and silver maple, are most susceptible to branch breakage. Improper removal of ice and snow can increase the amount of damage to trees and shrubs. Read on for the full article published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Click here for additional information on protecting trees and shrubs in the winter published by the University of Minnesota Extension.
2023 Partners In Planting (PIP) Program and Arbor Day Sponsors Wanted
The astounding growth we are experiencing in Bismarck amplifies the continuing need for street trees. Our community is experiencing change, and we are counting on successful programs like Partners In Planting (PIP) and our annual Arbor Day celebration to encourage tree planting that will help ease the transition into these new areas. We are looking for partners in the 2023 planting season and would welcome the opportunity to work with you!
The PIP program is a cost share program to encourage street tree planting in Bismarck city limits. This program is funded by donations from community minded sponsors that are matched by the City of Bismarck. For more information on the PIP program click here.
Our annual Arbor Day celebration, typically held the first Friday in May, offers us an opportunity to teach children and adults about the benefits of caring for the trees in their neighborhoods. We are seeking sponsors to help with expenses for Arbor Day/Arbor Week activities. Arbor Day Sponsorship will assist with costs for plant material, plaques, awards, printed material, and advertising. For more information on Arbor Day activities click here.
Sponsors of both programs are recognized on our website, in printed materials, and at our annual Arbor Day celebration. Click here to become a sponsor of one or both of these great programs.