Forestry Services

Why does Perth County have a Forest Conservation By-Law?

Perth County’s Forest Conservation By-law protects forested areas by balancing environmental, economic, and land-use needs, particularly on privately owned agricultural land. It prevents harmful large-scale tree clearing, supports healthy ecosystems, and preserves benefits like carbon storage, clean air and water, flood control, and biodiversity.

The by-law encourages selective, managed harvesting rather than clear-cutting, provides consistent rules and notice of intent processes across the county, and is authorized under Ontario’s Municipal Act. Overall, it ensures the long-term sustainability of the county’s forests for current and future generations.

Why is the County undertaking this review process? 

Perth County is reviewing its Forest Conservation By-law to keep it effective, up-to-date, and aligned with current community values, environmental priorities, and legislation. As land use, agriculture, development, and climate conditions have changed, the County wants to ensure the by-law continues to protect forest cover while balancing environmental goals with landowners’ rights and economic activities.

The review clarifies what the by-law includes; such as distinctions related to orchards and tree farms compares it with neighbouring counties and provincial policies, and gathers input from landowners, farmers, conservation groups, and the public. Overall, the process aims to address concerns, refine definitions, and improve transparency in how forest conservation is managed.

What are the proposed updates to the By-law? 

1. Definition Clarification: Adding orchards and Christmas tree farms to our definitions
2. Windbreak Addition: Explicitly describing windbreaks and clarifying whether they're included in regulatory limits
3. Consolidate Previous Amendments: Two amendments already passed by Council will be consolidated into the updated by-law
4. Exemption/Appeal Process: Adding a formal process modeled after Oxford County's approach

For more information on the DRAFT Forestry By-law please review the document on our website www.perthcounty.ca/forestry  

Who are the members of the Perth County Agricultural Working Group? 

Is the landowner responsible for compliance with the Forestry By-law? 

Can I do selective logging on my property? 

What is the process to cut down dead trees?

Can I trim trees along my fields or that are protruding over cropland areas?

Certainly, where branches from woodland/woodlot trees are protruding over cropland, they can be trimmed. There are local contractors with specialized equipment for carrying out this work safely with minimal tree injury. An excavator ("hy-hoe") bucket is generally an inappropriate tool for such work.

Pruning or trimming a tree is generally not done (rarely if at all?) in a woodlot or woodland except along the boundary between a farm field and the woodlot or woodland. If done properly in accordance with good forestry practice, and on advance notice to the County, this should not be an issue.

Can I remove trees on my property to build a structure?

The lower tier municipality usually verifies that issuance of a building permit does not conflict with the By-law.  If a building permit is then issued for a specific location on a property, tree removal can take place according to the appropriate regulation in the By-law.

How can I plant a windbreak on my farm so that it doesn't negatively impact my ability to farm, to move farm equipment on my property, and to avoid the windbreak being considered a woodlot as it grows in future?

The best way is to seek the opinion of the By-law enforcement officer at the planning stage.  Most one-row field windbreaks do not meet the definition of a woodlot as set out in the By-law because of size of area, density of trees within the windbreak, or species of trees not being listed in Schedule "A" of the By-law.  Windbreaks can be designed to be discontinuous for woodlot purposes by using existing natural gaps such as municipal drains, farm laneways, and field entrances, or by intentionally planting a section of the windbreak with a tree species not listed in Schedule "A". 

Does Perth County replant trees?

Perth County has a formal policy (Policy PW–2.03.1, approved July 2, 2000) that requires offering replacement trees to property owners when trees are removed during County road construction projects. Under Council Resolution P33/2000, the Director of Public Works (or designate) is authorized to offer these replacement trees directly. Any significant or controversial matters may still be brought to Council for information.

Ash Trees

1. Diameter Limits for Cutting Ash: 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.
2. Black Ash Amendment: As per By-law No. 3951-2023, starting January 26, 2024, all Black Ash trees have been removed from the Forestry Conservation By-law as they are now designated by the Province of Ontario as an “endangered species” under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The responsibility to enforce regulations regarding endangered species and protection of those species lies with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

These amendments are to the currently active Perth County Forestry By-law No. 3836-2021 and impacts Section 3(2)A, Section 3(2)B 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

1. 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.
2. 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

Program Information Session - December 2021

Don’t Move Firewood Campaign (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Many local campers or cottage-goers travel a great distance to get to their destination. Invasive insects and tree diseases can live and travel in your firewood products. Moving untreated firewood (even a few kilometers) is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.

Some of the pests/diseases that can spread quickly via firewood movement include; emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, dutch elm disease, spongy moth, brown spruce longhorn beetle, spotted lanternfly, and oak wilt. Don’t forget that these pests can also “hitch a ride” on your vehicles, tools, boots, and other outdoor gear or equipment.

Moving firewood from places where regulated pests have been found is a violation of the Plant Protection Act, with penalties of up to $50,000 and/or prosecution. Be aware of movement restrictions that may be in place before you move wood or wood products.

If you see any invasive pests or have questions about moving firewood, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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.