NDSU’s latest tree, shrub, fruit and vegetable research will be on display during a field day and tour at the NDSU Horticulture Research Farm near Absaraka, North Dakota, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The 80-acre farm includes the Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum, which has the largest collection of trees in the northern Great Plains. It contains more than 5,000 species, cultivars and selections of trees and shrubs.

At 3:30 p.m., Joe Zeleznik, NDSU Extension horticulturist, and Stephen Ahrenholz, a graduate student at NDSU, are set to give a short presentation on the hidden arboreta across North Dakota.

NDSU faculty and personnel will lead a riding tour at 4 p.m. that will include fruit research, including hardy grape breeding and evaluation of raspberry cultivars. In addition, participants can learn about new fruit crops for North Dakota such as haskaps and black currants. Vegetable growers will see the latest research on peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and potatoes.

“The arboretum is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon in the cool shade of the trees,” said Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension horticulturist. “Beyond admiring the beauty of the place, I guarantee that you will come away with ideas to plant new hardy fruits or trees in your home landscape.”

An arboretum tree walk also is planned, led by members of the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program.

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