Emerald Ash Borer Arrives in Bismarck
A city work crew cutting down declining ash trees in Bismarck found signs of the emerald ash borer for the first time here, according to KFYR-TV. The small, metallic-green beetle is known to kill ash trees once established, a risk North Dakota agriculture officials have warned about for years.
State agriculture materials explain that the insect’s larvae feed beneath the bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients, often leading to dieback from the top down (per the North Dakota Department of Agriculture). If you’ve got mature ash on your block, this detection puts the issue close to home.
Immediate Local Actions
In response, the Bismarck Landfill has stopped all firewood distribution to help prevent additional spread, KFYR-TV reports. Larvae can ride undetected in split firewood or logs, which is why state officials have long urged residents not to move firewood between communities (per the North Dakota Department of Agriculture).
City staff are emphasizing containment while they confirm the scope of the discovery, according to KFYR-TV. That generally means limiting wood movement, removing hazardous trees, and coordinating with state agencies on next steps.
Quick to-do this week:
- Don’t move firewood; buy it where you burn it (per the state’s guidance).
- Hold off on cutting or hauling ash until the city posts instructions—check ahead via the City of Bismarck’s website.
Impact on Bismarck’s Environment
Ash trees are common street and yard trees across North Dakota, the result of decades of planting green ash in prairie communities, according to NDSU Extension. Losing untreated ash over time would thin neighborhood shade canopies and raise costs for both homeowners and the city.
Those costs add up in two ways: removing dead or hazardous ash can be expensive, and preventive treatments—while effective in many cases—must be repeated on a schedule, NDSU Extension notes. Parks, boulevards, and older residential areas would feel the change most as canopy gaps open and replanting ramps up.
Resident Guidelines and Responsibilities
Agriculture officials ask residents to watch their ash for telltale signs: D-shaped exit holes in the bark, S-shaped galleries under the bark, bark splitting, heavy woodpecker flecking, and canopy dieback from the top, according to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. If you suspect EAB, report it with photos and a location through the state’s channels—start with the NDDA website—and keep the sample for an expert to verify if asked.
For trees you want to save, NDSU Extension says preventive treatment is generally considered within roughly a 15-mile radius of a confirmed detection and must be timed and applied correctly to work. Talk with a certified arborist about options, costs, and timing; the City of Bismarck’s Forestry Division page lists general tree-care guidance and can point you to reputable resources.
If removal becomes necessary, ask your contractor about proper disposal to avoid spreading infested material. City and state officials stress not to transport ash logs, chips, or firewood out of the local area without checking the latest rules.
Voices & Expertise
State plant-protection specialists consistently underline one message: “Don’t move firewood,” because that’s the fastest way invasive insects leapfrog into new neighborhoods (per the North Dakota Department of Agriculture). NDSU Extension adds that a mix of removals, targeted treatments, and steady replanting with diverse species is the long-term path for communities facing EAB.
Locally, city forestry staff are working with state partners to assess the find and line up next steps, KFYR-TV reports. Watch for guidance on boulevard-tree management and any disposal instructions that may affect your fall yardwork.
What to Watch
Look for the City of Bismarck to post updates on disposal rules, any wood-movement restrictions, and public information sessions as officials learn more. State agriculture authorities could issue additional guidance or quarantines depending on the scope of the detection. For now, keep firewood local and report suspected EAB through the NDDA site so crews can map and respond quickly.
