Trees

Tree conservation is an integral part of promoting sustainable and managed growth patterns.

The purpose of the Good Forestry Practices Bylaw (PDF) is to:

• Conserve and improve the health of natural heritage areas by controlling and reducing clear cutting
• Improve resilience and adaptation to climate change
• Implement the County's strategic priority for Sustainable and Managed Growth by protecting and enhancing the natural environment
• Promote good forestry practices that sustain and improve healthy natural heritage areas and their related long-term social, economic, and environmental values
• Protect, promote, and enhance the many benefits that trees contribute to the County in terms of aesthetics, human health, recreation, and overall enjoyment and quality of life
• Reduce airborne pollution, protecting and improving the quality and quantity of water, preventing soil and wind erosion, reducing water run-off, and providing cooler temperatures in the summer
• Promote and implement the objectives and policies in the County's Official Plan, Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe on climate change and green infrastructure and regards to the protection, maintenance, and restoration of natural heritage features, areas, and systems

Good Forestry Practices Permit

The County encourages landowners to manage forests in a manner that is consistent with good forestry practices to sustain and improve healthy natural areas and their related long-term social, economic, and environmental values.

A Good Forestry Practices Permit is required to harvest trees in accordance with a silviculture prescription. The prescription must be prepared by a Qualified Ontario Professional Foresters Association Member.

To apply for a permit, please submit a Good Forestry Practices Permit Application

Clear Cutting Permit

While tree conservation is important, it is recognized that there may be limited situations in which clear cutting forested areas is warranted. In such situations, an assessment of environmental impacts and replacement trees is required.

Where an applicant would like to clear trees that are not exempt in the Bylaw and/or cannot be authorized in accordance with a Good Forestry Practices Permit, an application may be made for a Clear Cutting Permit.

Owners are encouraged to consult with County staff prior to submitting a Clear Cutting Permit to obtain preliminary feedback including alternative options to clear cutting, environmental constraints, replacement trees, and approvals that may be required by other agencies.

To apply, submit a Clear Cutting Permit Application

Additional information