Ninth Street West in West Fargo is set for a visual and ecological transformation this summer as the city begins a comprehensive West Fargo tree planting project designed to turn a stretch of the thoroughfare into a lush, tree-lined corridor.
The initiative will observe the addition of 129 trees between 32nd Avenue West and 52nd Avenue West. According to Logan Jacobson, West Fargo Director of Public Works Services, the goal is to create a more cohesive urban canopy by “filling in the gaps on the east and west boulevards.”
The project is more than a beautification effort. it is a strategic move to diversify the city’s greenery. For decades, many Midwestern cities relied heavily on a few species of trees, creating a biological monoculture that is highly vulnerable to pests and disease. By planting a wide variety of species, West Fargo is building a more resilient landscape capable of withstanding regional threats.
Investment and Execution
To carry out the planting, city commissioners unanimously approved a $52,000 contract with Green Earth Landscaping LLC during their meeting on Monday, April 6. The funding for the project is sourced from revenue generated by the city’s capital improvement sales tax.
The function is scheduled to begin in early summer and is expected to accept between three and six weeks to complete. To ensure the long-term success of the new additions, the city has built safeguards into the contract: the contractor is responsible for the maintenance of the trees for up to two years following the planting. A two-year warranty is in place, ensuring that any tree that fails to thrive or dies will be replaced at no additional cost to the city.
Diversifying the Urban Canopy
A critical component of the plan is the selection of trees. Rather than relying on a single species, the city is introducing a mix of oaks, elms, and other hardy varieties known for their ability to thrive in the Red River Valley’s unique climate.
| Tree Species | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prairie Stature Oak | 20 |
| Princeton Elm | 20 |
| Northern Acclaim Honeylocust | 20 |
| Common Hackberry | 20 |
| Prairie Horizon Alder | 20 |
| Boulevard Linden | 20 |
| Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry | 9 |
The Threat of the Emerald Ash Borer
The urgency behind this West Fargo tree planting project is tied to the looming threat of the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that destroys and kills ash trees. The pest has already caused devastation across much of North America and is now pressing into the region.
While no sightings of the insect have been reported within West Fargo city limits, the danger is immediate. A sighting was reported in Fargo in January, located on the east side of the downtown library. This follows a pattern of regional spread; the insects were detected on Feb. 17, 2023, near the Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead, and later confirmed along railroad tracks in Dilworth.
The situation in Fargo represents only the second confirmed case in the state, with the first North Dakota case of emerald ash borer identified in August 2024. For context, the pest first entered Minnesota in 2009, leading to the loss of millions of trees across the state. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture continues to monitor the spread to protect the state’s forestry assets.
A Broader Strategy for Urban Forestry
The Ninth Street project is part of a wider, multi-agency effort involving the city and the West Fargo Parks District. In recent years, both entities have prioritized tree-trimming and strategic planting to mitigate the impact of EAB. In September, the Parks District began a trimming project in Elmwood Park, a site containing approximately 664 trees. Of those, 470 are green ash—a species highly susceptible to the beetle.
The city has as well integrated forestry requirements into its development codes to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of the environment. Current policy requires that at least two trees be planted in the boulevard within one year of the construction of any new home. These mandates ensure that as the city expands, the urban canopy grows organically alongside the residential footprint.
By combining proactive infrastructure projects with strict development policies, West Fargo is attempting to insulate itself from the ecological collapse that often follows an invasive species outbreak. The transition from ash-dominant boulevards to a diverse mix of oaks and lindens is a long-term investment in the city’s air quality, temperature regulation, and aesthetic appeal.
The city expects the planting crews to begin work in the coming weeks as the soil warms. Residents can expect to see activity along Ninth Street West starting in early summer as the first of the 129 trees are installed.
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