CENTRAL BISMARCK · SERVICE AREA
Landscaping in Central Bismarck
Bismarck Landscape works in central Bismarck’s older neighborhoods, including the Cathedral Area, Highland Acres and the blocks around downtown. These are the parts of town with big, old trees, boulevard trees out front, shady lawns and yards that have been planted and replanted for decades.
That changes the work. The big jobs here are tree care and ash decisions, lawns that grow under shade, repairs to older walks, walls and beds, and keeping the character of the neighborhood while making the yard easier to live with.
CENTRAL BISMARCK NEIGHBORHOODS
Central Bismarck at a Glance
The City of Bismarck says “there are currently three historic districts in Bismarck”: the Cathedral Area, Highland Acres and Downtown.
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Cathedral Area Historic District | Nicknamed “The Hill.” Listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1980, and expanded in 1997 and 2010. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, built in 1945, sits in the district. Home styles include Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Foursquare. |
| Highland Acres Historic District | Listed in the National Register in 2022. More than 350 properties, built from 1948 into the early 1970s. Planned by a veterans’ homeowner cooperative for returning World War II veterans, with front yards and irregular lots that follow the hilly ground. |
| Downtown Historic District | One of the city’s three historic districts |
Sources: Wikipedia’s entry on the Cathedral Area district, Prairie Public and KFYR coverage of the 2022 Highland Acres listing, and the City of Bismarck’s historic preservation page.
HISTORIC DISTRICT GUIDANCE
Does Historic District Status Limit Yard Work?
Usually not for everyday yard work, but check before big changes.
- National Register listing. State historic preservation offices explain that listing “places no obligation or restriction on a private owner using private resources” to maintain or alter a property. Federal review applies only when federal money or permits are involved. When Highland Acres was listed in 2022, KFYR reported that homeowners can still make changes to their properties.
- The city’s ordinance. Bismarck’s Historic Preservation Commission maintains and enforces the city’s preservation ordinance. The city’s page doesn’t spell out what that covers for private homes.
- Our advice: before a big change that changes how the property looks from the street, like removing a large tree, adding a retaining wall or a new front fence, call the city’s Planning Division at 701-355-1846.
Planting, mowing, mulching, pruning and lawn care don’t usually raise any question.
MATURE TREES & ASH HEALTH
Mature Trees and Boulevard Ash
Older neighborhoods mean older trees, and that means ash. The City of Bismarck said in August 2026 that it has cut boulevard ash from 36% to 22% of boulevard trees since 2008. That’s still more than one in five boulevard trees.
Emerald ash borer was found in Bismarck in late August 2026, the first find in central North Dakota. Here’s what the city says:
- Unless treated, infested ash trees can die within a few years.
- Treatment isn’t recommended until emerald ash borer is found within 15 miles, which it now is.
- Pick a reputable tree service with a certified applicator if you treat.
- Burleigh County is under a state quarantine. Ash logs, branches, chips and hardwood firewood can’t leave the county, with fines up to $5,000.
Boulevard trees, the ones between the sidewalk and the street, belong to the city. Pruning, removal or planting one needs a city Forestry permit, at no charge. Forestry is at 701-355-1700, option 3. See boulevard tree permits and should you treat or remove your ash tree.
Signs of Emerald Ash Borer to Watch For
The city lists these signs:
- Thinning in the top of the tree
- Leafy sprouts from the trunk or main branches
- S-shaped tunnels under the bark
- Bark splitting
- Woodpecker damage
- D-shaped exit holes
Report suspected trees through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s emerald ash borer page. See emerald ash borer in Bismarck.
PRACTICAL LANDSCAPING PRIORITIES
What Older Yards Need Most
Tree care. Pruning, removing declining trees and planting the next generation. Bismarck requires a city Commercial Arborist License for paid tree pruning or removal. See tree services.
- Grass that handles shade. NDSU says fine fescues are best for shade. Under big trees, a fescue-heavy mix and some limb thinning work better than more bluegrass. See best grass for Bismarck lawns.
- Mulch rings, not lawn, at the base of big trees. It keeps mowers off the bark and cuts trimming. See the 3-3-3 mulch ring.
- Drainage around older foundations. Backfill can settle over the decades until the ground slopes toward the house. The code calls for at least 6 inches of drop in the first 10 feet. See yard drainage and grading.
- Walls and walks that fit the house. Highland Acres was laid out on hilly ground, so steps and retaining walls are common. See retaining walls and paver patios.
- Lead-safe gardening near older homes. The EPA says homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint, and peeling exterior paint can contaminate nearby soil. Keep vegetable gardens away from the foundation, plant shrubs along the house so kids don’t play in that soil, and wash hands after yard work.
SEASONAL YARD RULES
Snow and Yard Waste in Central Bismarck
Sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow stops, under City Ordinance 10-03-04, including crosswalk areas on corner lots.
- No snow in the street. Fines can reach $1,000.
- Grass and leaves go to the city’s yard waste sites, like Cottonwood Park at Santa Fe Avenue and South 12th Street.
- Branches go to the Bismarck Landfill, where clean wood costs $40 a ton.
See Bismarck snow rules and snow removal.
SERVICES FOR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Our Services in Central Bismarck
Questions
Central Bismarck Landscaping FAQ
Answers for central Bismarck historic districts, boulevard trees and shaded lawns.
Need help planning work in an older neighborhood?
Call to discuss your Central Bismarck property.
Do you do landscaping in the Cathedral Area and Highland Acres?
Yes. Bismarck Landscape works throughout central Bismarck, including the Cathedral Area, Highland Acres and the blocks around downtown. We do tree care, lawn care, shade lawns, walls, walks, drainage, cleanups and snow removal.
Does being in a historic district limit what I can do to my yard?
Usually not for everyday yard work. National Register listing places no restrictions on private owners using private money. Bismarck does have a preservation ordinance enforced by its Historic Preservation Commission, so call the Planning Division at 701-355-1846 before big changes visible from the street.
How many of Bismarck’s boulevard trees are ash?
About 22%. The City of Bismarck said in August 2026 that it has reduced boulevard ash from 36% to 22% since 2008 by removing poor ash and planting other kinds of trees.
Should I treat my ash tree now?
It’s time to decide. The City of Bismarck says treatment isn’t recommended until emerald ash borer is found within 15 miles, and it was found in Bismarck in August 2026. Healthy, valuable ash can be treated by a certified applicator. Declining ash is usually better removed.
Who takes care of the boulevard tree in front of my house?
The City of Bismarck. Boulevard trees, between the sidewalk and the street, are public trees. Pruning, removal or planting one needs a city Forestry permit, at no charge. Call Bismarck Forestry at 701-355-1700, option 3.
How do I grow grass under big old trees?
Use a seed mix heavy in fine fescues, which NDSU says are best for shade. Thin some tree limbs to let in more light, and in the deepest shade, switch to a mulched bed instead of fighting for lawn.
Bismarck Landscape
Get an Estimate in Central Bismarck
Whether it’s an ash tree you’re unsure about, a shady lawn that won’t fill in or an old wall that’s leaning, call Bismarck Landscape to discuss your yard.
You can also see our full service area or our other contact options.