Traill County Soil Conservation District

04/02/2026

A REMIINDER FOR THOSE OF YOU GETTING MACHINE TREE PLANTINGS DONE THIS SPRING:

03/25/2026

03/22/2026

Hear from producers across the country on how they're using conservation practices on their land. Explore 80+ short videos covering everything from waste separation to subsurface irrigation, windbreaks, erosion control, and much more!

Watch here: www.farmers.gov/conservation/conservation-at-work

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

03/02/2026

Boxelder is a relatively fast-growing tree that has an extensive root system which helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making them ideal for riverbanks, slopes, or areas prone to soil erosion. They provide great shade and support wildlife. It's also worth noting that their foliage is susceptible to herbicides and their wood can be prone to breakage. So it's best to plant Boxelder where it aligns with your property's needs.

02/26/2026

The days are getting longer but don't get your hopes up that we've moved past winter just yet https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/dakota-gardener/dakota-gardener-don2019t-let-mother-nature-fool-you

02/25/2026

If anyone is interested in being on contractor list for the North Dakota Forest Service Windbreak Renovation Program.

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/608652058bbf401cb6548c7c0f8c5736

02/23/2026

For those of you with machine tree-plantings coming up this spring, please remember to have your site prepped for us. We're excited to be planting so many trees in our county and will be very busy! 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌳
Please share our page with your friends and neighbors!

02/19/2026

We're currently accepting offers for Continuous CRP through March 20, 2026. General CRP enrollment will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026. We'll announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future.

Contact us at your nearest Service Center to discuss enrollment. More details: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/02-10-2026/usda-open-continuous-general-conservation-reserve-program-enrollment

02/10/2026

Kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers across the state can now apply for free STEM kits that will bring agriculture lessons right into their classrooms. MORE: https://www.kfyrtv.com/2026/02/09/nd-ag-department-offers-free-stem-kits/

02/03/2026

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to apply!

01/22/2026

You may have seen posts or videos about “exploding trees” popping up on social media due to the impending extreme cold. Do you need to worry? Should you take cover?

While the sound can be startling, our NDSU Extension Forester says trees aren’t actually exploding. What’s really happening is called a frost crack.

Here’s what to know:
- Frost cracks form in winter during extreme cold
-They’re vertical cracks in the trunk, and when they happen, they can sound like a gunshot. No actual explosions happen.
-Some species are more prone than others. In North Dakota, frost cracks are often seen on green ash and chokecherry
-The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s linked to uneven shrinking and swelling of wood and water as temperatures plunge
-We can’t predict which trees will develop frost cracks
-Cracks often close during summer and reopen in future winters
-There’s no cure, though some trees may eventually grow over the crack, forming a “frost rib.”
-The crack can allow decay fungi to enter, which may affect long-term tree health or structural stability

Bottom line>>>
Frost cracks are dramatic but not uncommon in cold climates. Keep an eye on affected trees, especially large or mature ones near homes or walkways.

Reach out to your local NDSU Extension office for science-based answers to your trending tree questions .... even the loud ones 😉

Follow the NDSU Extension - Lawns, Gardens & Trees page for the latest in this area.