Tree care · Midwest
North Dakota has a cold, dry continental climate with short, warm summers and long, windy winters. Trees are often planted in rows as shelterbelts and windbreaks around farms and towns. Hardy species like green ash, elms, cottonwoods and spruces are common.
Trees that commonly grow or are often planted here. The storm risk is our plain rating for the species as a whole, not an inspection of your tree.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesUlmus americana
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPopulus deltoides
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesQuercus macrocarpa
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesAcer negundo
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesPicea pungens
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesUlmus pumila
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesPicea glauca
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesCeltis occidentalis
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPopulus tremuloides
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPicea abies
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesSee every species in the tree library.
Widely known concerns in this part of the country. If you see signs, ask a certified arborist or your state extension office. Ranges change, so check your state's official maps.
More in tree pests and diseases.
Hail and straight-line winds are most common from May to August. Blizzards and ice can damage trees from November to March.
Main storm months: May to August for hail and severe storms; November to March for blizzards and ice
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and call the utility. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Read what to do after a storm and our storm guides.
Winter, while trees are dormant, is a good time to prune many trees, and elms are often pruned in the colder months to lower the risk of Dutch elm disease. Storm-damaged limbs should come out as soon as it is safe.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some North Dakota cities require a permit or approval for work on street trees. Check with your city's forestry or planning office before work starts. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in North Dakota, with links to the official sources. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; short explanation, not legal advice.
See tree removal permits by city for every city we checked.
For homeowners
No state tree license found
We found no state-level license just for tree work in North Dakota. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. See the North Dakota state rules page for details and official links.
Get two or three written quotes. To find local pros, search Google Maps and read their reviews. Full steps in how to hire a tree service and the hiring checklist.
Own a tree service in North Dakota?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
For tree service owners
Winter is a good time for many trees. Elms are often pruned in the cold months. Dead or hazardous limbs can come out any time.
Healthy structure helps most. An arborist can thin out weak or crossing limbs. After a storm, have damaged trees checked.
It is a fungal disease that kills elms. If an elm wilts in summer, ask an arborist or your extension office soon.
Ask your arborist or extension office about emerald ash borer and check your state's official map. Do not guess about a dying ash.
Some cities need approval for street trees. Check with your city first. This is not legal advice.
Check insurance, certified arborists, written quotes and reviews. Our hiring tips and state license page can help.
We found no state-level license just for tree work in North Dakota. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. Our North Dakota state rules page has the details and links to official sources. Short explanation, not legal advice.
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.