Forestry Services

The County of Perth's Forestry Conservation Program regulates the destruction or injuring of trees. This Program was enacted to help improve the forest, soil, fish, wildlife and water resources within the County of Perth by conserving and improving the woodlands and woodlots located within the County.

There are significantly less woodlots in Perth County than in comparable regions within Southwestern Ontario – the municipality of Perth County has demonstrated a consistent commitment to good forestry practices through conservation and protection. Recent studies confirm that only 9% of Perth County land is forest-covered – this is substantially less than neighbouring Huron County that has 16%. This Program is in place to ensure responsible forestry practices to promote conservation of the County’s natural systems and resources in order to mitigate further decline in forest-coverage throughout the county. Risks from poor management of woodlands and woodlots can be mitigated by incorporating good forestry practice, which is defined in the Forestry Act as:

“The proper implementation of harvest, renewal and maintenance activities known to be appropriate for the forest and environmental conditions under which they are being applied and that minimize detriments to forest values including significant ecosystems, important fish and wildlife habitat, soil and water quality and quantity, forest productivity and health and the aesthetics and recreational opportunities of the landscape.”

The Forestry Conservation Program was created in 1947 with the original By-law 851. In contrast to other municipal forestry conservation By-laws, Perth County’s Program does not issue a permit (or require a fee). Rather, all actions by landowners (and their agents) must be in compliance with the By-law itself and a Notice of Intent must be sent to Legislative Services.

Ash Trees

As per By-law No. 3892-2022, starting September 6, 2022, Ash species listed in “Schedule A” that are to be injured or destroyed pursuant to Section 3(2) must have a minimum diameter of 5cm (2 inches) and a circumference of 16cm (6 inches) at all four points of measurement.

This amendment has been consolidated into By-Law No. 3836-2021 and impacts Section 3(2)A and “Schedule A” of that By-law. Please ensure that you are aware of all the regulations prescribed in this By-law before commencing with any logging projects in Perth County Woodlands or Woodlots.

Notice of Intent

The County of Perth requires that a Notice of Intent form be completed in the following two scenarios as per By-law 3836-2021 – Forestry By-law:

a) Every person who intends to destroy or injure trees located in the County pursuant to section 3(1) of the By-Law shall complete and deliver or send by facsimile transmission or email to the County a legible, signed Notice of Intent containing all the information required by the form no less than 20 and no more than 180 Business Days prior to the start of the destruction or injury of trees together with a legible copy of the silvicultural prescription signed by and identifying the person who prepared the prescription.

b) Every person who intends to destroy or injure trees located in the County pursuant to Section 3(2) of this By-law shall deliver or send by facsimile transmission or email to the County a legible, signed Notice of Intent containing all the information required by the form no less than 7 and no more than 180 Business Days prior to the start of the destruction or injury of trees.

All Notices of Intent that are to be submitted to the County of Perth can be forwarded to Legislative Services.

After a Notice of Intent (NOI) is received Legislative services will provide the applicant with a receipted NOI. The individual that submitted the NOI must notify the Issuing Officer/Forestry By-law Enforcement Officer no more than 7 business days and no less than 24 hours prior to date upon which the destruction or injury is set to start.

For site specific questions please feel free to contact the Forestry By-law Enforcement Officer:

Marvin Smith
519-291-2236

Noxious weeds and invasive pests

Perth County’s forests are susceptible to threats from noxious weeds and invasive pests. Protect the resources you have in your woodlot by being informed about forest health threats. Visit the information below to learn more about noxious weeds and invasive pests that are currently present in the County of Perth, or have the potential to invade our area.

Noxious weeds

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has created a list of all noxious weeds within Ontario as per the Weed Control Act, R.SO. 1990. In addition to this list, the County has also identified the following as noxious weeds:

Velvetleaf

Life Cycle: Annual, reproducing only by seed.

Habitat: Velvetleaf occurs in southern Ontario where it is increasing in corn, soybeans and other annually tilled crops and in waste places.

Description: It is distinguished by its erect habit of growth, large, alternate, valentine-shaped leaves which are very soft-velvety to the touch, its yellow to yellow-orange flowers, each with a central column of stamens, its ring of several seedpods produced from each flower, and in late autumn bloom the rather grotesque to blackish stem with many erect clusters of seedpods.

Purple Loosestrife

Life Cycle: Perennial, reproducing only by seed.

Habitat: Purple loosestrife was introduced from Europe but is now widely naturalized in wet meadows, river flood-plains, and damp roadsides throughout most of Ontario.

Description: Its opposite leaves and square stems resemble plants of the Mint Family but it is distinguished by having separate petals, a seedpod with many fine seeds, and it lacks the minty odour.

Invasive pests

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has provided educational information on common invasive pests:

Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar - formerly known as Gypsy Moth)

Susceptible Trees: oak, birch and aspen, sugar maple, American beech, eastern white pine and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) in Southern Ontario.

Characteristics and Life Cycle: Over the winters the egg stage occurs on the bark of trees. During spring, eggs hatch and larvae ascend the trees to feed on the new growth. As young caterpillars they feed generally during the day but throughout development will transition to nighttime feeding. Feeding damage ranges from small “shotgun” holes in leaves to consuming entire leaves. As caterpillars they measure approximately 50mm long, dark in colour, hairy and have a double row of five pairs of blue spots, followed by a double row of six pairs of red spots proceeding down their back. Male moths are light brown and slender-bodied, while females are white and heavy-bodied.

Symptoms and Damage: Spongy moth outbreaks occur every 7 to 10 years. Larvae chew holes in leaves or devour entire leaves. In late July, spongy egg masses can be observed on the trunks and branches of infected trees. During severe outbreaks, trees and shrubs are completely defoliated over large areas; despite the trees’ ability to produce a new crop of leaves over the summer, the damage causes significant growth loss. Understory shrubs and plants may also be affected.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Farmaire)

Susceptible Trees: all ash species in Ontario, including green, red, white, black and blue ash, as well as some non-native species such as European black ash.

Characteristics and Life Cycle: Metallic green adults emerge in June and July and are generally between 8.5-13.5 mm long. Adults have a flattened head, large black eyes on the sides of their heads and short antennae. The eggs are laid within the bark of ash trees and there can be as many as 90 eggs. Larvae feed by chewing “S” shaped tunnels under the bark and can be identified by their cream-colour, flattened body with a brown head and pincers. Larvae pupate in April or May and adults can be seen around two weeks later. The entire lifespan can be completed within one year.

Symptoms and Damage: Meandering “S” shaped tunnels (galleries) wrap around the ash trees and foliage will wilt or turn yellow. Emerging adult beetles leave a “D” shaped exit hole that is 4 to 5 mm across on the bark of infected trees. Frass (refuse left behind by boring insects) or sawdust will be evident in tunnels. Because the tunnels made by larvae girdle the tree, it cuts off the flow of food and water. This causes branch mortality which leads to eventual tree death. Epicormic shoots (growing from a previously dormant bud) may appear on the tree’s branches and trunk.

Note: In an effort to streamline the removal of ash trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer, Perth County Council passed a two-year temporary amendment to the Forestry By-Law whereby the diameter limit applied to Ash Trees under Schedule “A” was reduced to 0 cm /0 inches. The time period for which this amendment applies is January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021.