The full picture · 6 sources

Bismarck to remove half of boulevard ash trees to address emerald ash borer

Updated Oct 30, 5:07 AM CT. Every fact below links to the source that reported it.

What the primary sources show

The emerald ash borer was confirmed in Bismarck in August. [City of Bismarck]
The city will remove approximately half of the boulevard ash trees over the next four to five years, prioritizing trees in poor condition or with structural concerns. [City of Bismarck] [KX News]
The remaining ash trees will be treated with insecticide on a three-year cycle to preserve canopy and slow tree loss. [City of Bismarck] [KX News]
The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle whose larvae bore under tree bark and destroy the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, having killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America since 2002. [KX News] [Bismarck Source]
City commissioners approved $500,000 for the project. [KFYR-TV]

When will removals begin and which neighborhoods will be addressed first?
What is the total estimated cost of the project beyond the $500,000 already approved?
What tree species will be planted as replacements and how many trees are planned?

City of Bismarck: City official statement emphasizing Bismarck's preparation and that spreading removals over several years reduces sudden impact on neighborhoods. Read it →
KX News: News report providing specific tree count and percentage of Bismarck's population, with instructions for residents to contact the city. Read it → · Ads
KFYR-TV: Emphasizes the city's commitment to replanting trees despite the removal of half the boulevard ash population. Read it → · Ads
Bismarck Tribune: Brief summary of the plan to remove half the boulevard ash trees and treat the rest with insecticide. Read it → · Paywall
Bismarck Source: Explains the borer's mechanism of damage in detail and frames removal as critical for protecting remaining trees and city infrastructure. Read it →
KFYR-TV: Focuses on the $500,000 budget approved by commissioners to fund removals. Read it → · Ads

701 News writes these summaries from the sources above and checks every sentence against them. Read the originals for the full reporting. Corrections