Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Fargo

Invasive pest threatens North Dakota's urban and rural ash tree populations

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:15am

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An insect larva found in Fargo by city forestry staff has been confirmed as the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across the United States. This is the second detection of the emerald ash borer in North Dakota, after it was first found in LaMoure County in 2024.

Why it matters

The emerald ash borer poses a significant threat to North Dakota's ash tree population, which makes up a large portion of the state's urban and rural forests. Unless treated, infested ash trees can be killed within a few years, potentially leading to widespread tree loss and environmental damage.

The details

The emerald ash borer is a wood-boring insect originally from Asia that was first detected in the U.S. in 2002. It has since spread to 37 states and killed hundreds of millions of ash trees. The insect can be moved long distances through the movement of firewood, tree trimmings, and ash nursery stock. North Dakota has more than 90 million ash trees, and ash trees make up between 20% to 80% of the trees along city streets and parks.

  • The first detection of the emerald ash borer in North Dakota was in LaMoure County in August 2024.
  • The insect larva was found in Fargo by city forestry staff in January 2026.

The players

Doug Goehring

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner.

Scott Liudahl

Fargo City Forester.

North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA)

The state agency that will collaborate with local partners to monitor the infestation and conduct outreach.

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What they’re saying

“This detection is unfortunate, but not surprising, considering the insect was detected in Moorhead in 2023. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture and our partners are prepared and will monitor the infestation. Travelers should leave firewood at home and purchase or gather from local sources, if allowed, to prevent further spread.”

— Doug Goehring, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner

“The City of Fargo has aggressively diversified the urban forest with other tree species, reducing boulevard ash populations to less than 21%. The City Forestry Department has placed and monitored traps each summer and promoted awareness through outreach events, news releases and neighborhood mailings. We have been preparing for the eventual arrival of emerald ash borer for many years.”

— Scott Liudahl, Fargo City Forester

What’s next

NDDA will collaborate with the City of Fargo, North Dakota Forest Service, NDSU Extension and others to determine the extent of the infestation, continue to monitor ash trees and conduct outreach in the coming months.

The takeaway

The detection of the emerald ash borer in Fargo highlights the urgent need for North Dakota to continue its efforts to protect its ash tree population, which is a vital part of the state's urban and rural forests. Proactive measures, such as diversifying tree species and monitoring for the pest, will be crucial in mitigating the potential damage caused by this invasive insect.