By Esther E. McGinnis, Horticulturist

NDSU Extension

Do you remember the Joni Mitchell song, “Big Yellow Taxi”?

Mitchell sings, “They took all the trees, and put ‘em in a tree museum,” referring to Honolulu’s Foster Botanical Garden, which features magnificent tropical trees.

What if I told you that North Dakota State University has a “tree museum” that showcases more than 5,000 tree and shrub species, cultivars and selections?

NDSU’s Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum is a 35-acre oasis tucked into the countryside near Absaraka, North Dakota, 45 minutes west of Fargo. Home to the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, this living collection of trees plays a vital role in research and education.  

Beginning in 1954, the WPIP breeds, selects and introduces hardy trees and shrubs that can endure North Dakota’s frigid winters, strong winds and alkaline soils. Plants at the arboretum are exposed to extreme winter low temperatures of minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Surviving plants are well-suited for large areas of the northern Great Plains.

Since 1986, the program has introduced 63 trees and shrubs for production and sale. Notable releases include Dakota Pinnacle Asian white birch, Prairie Expedition American elm and Northern Acclaim thornless honeylocust.

According to Todd West, the program’s director, Fireflare Orange azalea is one of the newest releases and is attracting a lot of attention for its ability to put on a dazzling spring show even in high alkaline soils. This azalea will be available at select nurseries in 2027.

The WPIP is also working to encourage diversity in tree plantings. Planting large numbers of the same or related tree species can set communities up for failure. For example, many communities planted large numbers of elm trees in the 1900s because of their reputation as tough, adaptable trees. Dutch elm disease was detected in North Dakota in 1969 and rapidly spread across the state by the mid-1970s. With elm trees being the predominant boulevard tree, many communities lost a significant portion of their trees to this devastating disease. Instead of replacing dying elms with a variety of tree species, communities planted ash trees.

Now, the region is faced with a similar situation involving emerald ash borer.

“We need to avoid planting the same trees up and down the boulevard,” advises West. “Look around and plant something different from your neighbors.”

Beyond its research purpose, the arboretum is also an educational destination. While the facility is normally closed to the general public, the WPIP team organizes annual events such as “Branch Out: The NDSU Arboretum Experience,” which features several educational tree walks. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12.

For more information, visit the event website (ndsu.ag/BranchOut-26) and also the NDSU tree introduction website (ndsu.ag/NDSU-Select-26).

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Aug. 25, 2026

Source: Esther McGinnis, 701-231-7406, esther.mcginnis@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu