Branch Out: The NDSU Arboretum Experience

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Department of Plant Sciences Woody Plant Improvement Team hosts an annual educational event and tour called Branch Out: The NDSU Arboretum Experience at the NDSU Dale E Herman Research Arboretum. Tucked into the countryside between Absaraka and Amenia, ND, the location boasts the largest collection of trees and shrubs in North Dakota with over 5,000 different species, cultivars, and selections living on 35-acre facility. The Arboretum is essential to the work of NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Team which is to evaluate, select, and introduce new trees and shrubs that will survive in the harsh climate of the Northern Great Plains.

The event offers walking tours of the facility with a themed focus and time to rest and enjoy the peace you'll find in the space.

This free event is especially valuable for homeowners looking to establish landscapes in neighborhoods, especially where few or no mature trees exist. Participants will explore the 35-acre arboretum and learn how to select trees and shrubs based on hardiness, mature size, site conditions, diversity and landscape function.

“The event is an amazing opportunity to tour the research arboretum and learn about the woody plant research being conducted,” says Dr. Todd West, professor and director of the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program. “Our primary purpose is to evaluate, select and introduce new trees and shrubs for the harsh northern climate of the Northern Great Plains.”

Guests may choose their favorite guided arboretum walk at 1:30 and 3:15pm. All walks are hosted by members of the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, NDSU Landscape Architecture, and NDSU Extension.

1:30-3:00 PM, Choose one walk

From Research Plot to Your Backyard: The Science Behind New Plants
Dr. Todd West, Professor, NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program Director
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how new plants go from research plots to landscapes across the region. Learn how decades of research help bring better trees and shrubs from the research plot to your home landscape.
Dr. Todd West, Professor, NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program Director

Maple Magic: Finding the Right Maple for the Northern Landscape
Dr. Joe Zeleznik, NDSU Extension Forester
Discover the beauty and diversity of maples while learning how to select the right maple for your home landscape. Explore key characteristics, including size, form, fall color, and site adaptability, to make a confident maple selection.

Conifers: Beyond Blue Spruce
Connor Hagemeyer, Research Specialist, NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program
Go beyond blue spruce and discover the incredible diversity of conifers that can thrive in the northern landscape. Explore unique shapes, textures, colors, and year-round interest while finding new conifers to add to your landscape.

3:15-4:45 PM, Choose one walk

Pollinator Friendly Trees and Shrubs
Dr. Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension Horticulturist and EMG Coordinator
Discover how trees and shrubs can become powerful resources for pollinators, providing food, shelter, and habitat throughout the growing season. Join us for a walk highlighting beautiful woody plants that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.


Beyond the Plant: Designing with Trees and Shrubs
Rebecca Heide, NDSU Landscape Architecture Adjunct Faculty
Discover how trees and shrubs can do more than simply fill a space—they can shape views, create structure, frame spaces, and transform a landscape. Join us for a walk exploring the art of using woody plants to create beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully designed landscapes.


If I was going to plant a tree in my yard today, what would I plant?
Dr. Todd West, Professor, NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program Director
Join Todd West for a fun and personal walk through the arboretum featuring some of his favorite trees and the incredible diversity they bring to the landscape. Discover what makes these trees special—and why choosing the right tree can make all the difference!

Registration is not required for this event. This is a rain or shine event but please check back here for any updates, for instance, if lightening is forecast.

To get to the arboretum, use our GPS address: NDSU Research Arboretum, 14866 29th St SE, Amenia, ND 58004