Urban Conservation

This section of our web site has been developed to assist the public with a variety of information such as Tree Planting, Weed Barrier, Rain Gardens, and North Dakota Rural Living. If you have questions on any of the information with this section please contact Menoken Farm.

Tree and Barrier Self-Help

The Burleigh County Soil Conservation District does not provide a machine tree planting or weed barrier fabric application service for individuals with less than 40 acres. However, trees and fabric are available for purchase from the District. No on-site technical assitance is provided for hand plant orders.

Tree orders are due by Novemeber 1st of each year.

Pre-Planning

When designing a tree planting, consider the positive and potentially negative impacts the trees may have on the surrounding area. Items to consider include: Areas of snow drifts, water runoff from melting snow, stifling of air flows during the summer, ice blockage of drains, and visibility hazards. Plan your tree planting before building a house, if possible.

Things you need to know prior to planning:

  •  Development and/or township covenants for tree planting
  • Your legal description and property line
  • The distance trees must be from property line (minimum of 5 feet)
  • The location of your septic tank and drain field; planting over septic tank or drain field is not advised
  • Utility company specifications for planting trees by their overhead lines – locate any underground utilities such as electrical gas, water, telephone lines, cable TV, and propane tanks or the property
  • Hand plant tree orders are due by November 1st of each year.

Good ground preparation is the most important part of your tree planting. Poor ground preparation is one of the main reasons trees fail. Summer-fallowing the tree plot one year prior to the actual tree planting is advised. Nonselectve herbicides may be used to kill grasses and weeds prior to tillage. Following these guidelines should enable you to start the ground preparation:

  • Decide on the number of rows you want
  • Row spacing can be a minimum of 10 feet and maximum of 20 feet apart. The average distance between rows in most plantings is 12-14 feet.
  • Allow for tillage on the outside of the tree planting (a minimum of 5 feet is recommended)
    The distance between rows should be determined by the width of your tillage equipment

~ Sample of 2 row tree planting. ~

You would need to summerfallow a 32 foot width in this example (Not to scale)

For tree and shrub descriptions and photos, visit these web sites:

 

Additional information for landowner use:

Windbreak Design

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fact Sheet-no pdf

Web Soil Survey

  • Step 1: Using the Web Soil Survey. Print soils map of your tree planting site. Identify the major soils.
  • Step 2: Using the Soils Legend. Identify the windbreak suitability group for each major soil. (high lighted column).
  • Step 3: Using the windbreak suitability groups 1-10. Identify the suitable tree and shrub species for each windbreak suitability group.

Windbreak Suitability Groups-no pdf

Weed Control
Herbicide Weed Control in Windbreaks and Shelterbelts Fact Sheet

Tillage for Weed Control in Windbreaks and Shelterbelts Fact Sheet

Synthetic Mulch (Fabric) Management Fact Sheet

Synthetic Weed Control Fabric Advantages and Disadvantages

Warm-Season Grass Cover between Tree Rows Fact Sheet (Plant Materials)

Contractors

Contact our office for a list

Additional Resources

Rain Gardens
Living Landscapes in North Dakota
The contents of this booklet includes:

  • Why is Native Landscaping Important?
  • Planning
  • Design
  • Site Preparation
  • Choosing the Right Grasses and Wildflowers
  • Grasses
  • Wildflowers
  • Choosing the Right Trees and Shrubs
  • Trees and Shrubs
  • Water Conservation
  • Maintenance
  • Plant Protection
  • Planning for Wildlife
  • Rain Gardens
  • Energy Conservation
  • Weeds and Invasive Plants
  • To Do List

If you would like a copy of this booklet please contact our office or you can view the 40 page PDF.

ND Rural Living Handbook

The contents of this booklet includes:

  • Checklists
  • Introduction
  • Buying Rural Property
  • Make a Plan
  • Being Neighborly
  • County Planning & Building
  • Living on a Rural County Road
  • Mosquito Control
  • Pest Control
  • Soil Health
  • Protecting Water Quality
  • Weed Management
  • Wetland & Riparian Management
  • Landscaping
  • Choosing the Right Trees for the Site
  • Raising Livestock
  • Wildlife in Your Backyard
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Rural Utilities
  • Telecommunications in Rural North Dakota
  • Septic Systems
  • Solid Waste Disposal & Recycling Options
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Resources Directory
  • Site Map

If you would like a copy of this booklet please contact our office or you can view booklet.