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Trees are one essential part of protecting our local environment, improving air quality, aesthetics, and climate change mitigation. We have many programs and bylaws that encourage tree planting in West Perth or protect trees from removal.
County Council has enacted By-law 3836-2021 for the purpose of improving the forest, soil, fish, wildlife and water resources in Perth County by conserving and improving the woodland and woodlots. This By-law prohibits the destruction or injury of any living tree located in a woodlot or woodlands within the County as defined by the By-law.
Any property owner planning to destroy or injure trees in Perth County woodlands or woodlots shall file a Notice of Intent as detailed in the By-law. Failure to do so will result in a Stop Work Order being issued and anyone who contravenes the By-law is guilty of an offence and is liable for the associated fine of up to $100,000.
Property Owners with woodlands and woodlots are encouraged to review By-law 3836-2021 to ensure that they understand the impact this By-law has on woodland and woodlot trees. Any questions in regards to By-law 3836-2021 or the destruction or injury of trees should be directed to Marvin Smith, By-law Enforcement Officer, Perth County 519-291-2236.
| Keterson Park Trees |
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In May 2023, Two 80 year old maple trees in Keterson Park were senselessly damaged by 3 unknown individuals, where bark was stripped around the entire tree, causing significant damage and putting the lives of these trees at risk. The damage to these trees has a technical term, called girdling. "Girdling is the complete removal of bark from around the entire circumference of either a branch or trunk of a woody plant. Girdling results in the death of the area above the girdle over time". The damage was assessed at approximately $25,000. The mature trees at Keterson Park were strategically saved throughout the 2023 Pavilion re-build because they contribute to a lovely shaded area in the heart of the park. Municipal Staff have gone to great lengths to save these trees. With the help and advice of neighbours far and wide, the strategy to save them includes applying a 'band-aid' to the damaged area for ONE year. Thank you to those individuals who reached out and suggested treatment options and offered to donate trees. We ask the public and our community to not remove the 'band-aids' or tamper with the treatment. If you or someone you know has information on how the damage to these trees occurred, we ask you call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. Andy Bader at the Mitchell Advocate's Article regarding the damage can be accessed here. If you visit the trees, you will see these signs below:
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| Cutting Trees |
Notice of IntentThe 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 |
| Municipal Tree Concerns |
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To request an inspection, pruning or removal of a Municipal-owned tree use the report online button below. Tree damage after a stormTo report fallen trees or large limbs creating obstructions to roadways/sidewalks and/or causing an immediate hazard please call OPP at 1-800-310-1122. Municipal tree damage after a stormAfter a storm, the Municipality cleans up fallen trees and branches on public property. We respond to service calls based on the potential risk to people or property. On your property, you are responsible for removing and disposing of dead, hazardous trees or branches. Tree Problem on HWY 8 and HWY 23Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO INFO) 1-800-268-4686 Tree Problem on County RoadPerth County Report Tree Concern 519-271-0531 ext. 311 |
Tree Planting and Grants
We encourage landowners to plant trees on their property, with a few considerations in mind:
- Call before you dig: Make sure you know what's underground before digging a hole, to make sure you don't hit any services or tree roots will grow into any water pipes.
- Plant native species: Plant species native to this area will be better suited to drought, will provide better habitat, and have a better chance of survival. For a full list of recommended trees, see below.
- Trees can get BIG: Plant trees inside your property line with your neighbours, and prepare for conversations about trimming if branches start overhanging neighbour's property.
- The Municipality doesn't sell trees: Although we don't do tree sales, we have the West Perth Healthy Forests Grant, and partnerships with local Conservation Authorities on spring and fall tree planting and tree sale programs. Local nurseries also carry wonderful ranges of trees for every application.
| West Perth Healthy Forests Grant |
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The Municipality of West Perth's Environment, Forestry and Trails Committee decided to reinvigorate the commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and improving water quality and habitat for local and migratory species by enacting the West Perth Healthy Forests Grant in 2020. This grant is intended to provide a financial incentive to landowners within the Municipality to encourage urban tree planting and rural forest restoration across our community. The grant is provided to landowners through tree orders placed through Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. This grant launched spring 2021 and is set to continue into spring and fall 2022. West Perth Healthy Forests Grant provides West Perth landowners with $5.00 subsidy for large stock trees, and $0.50 subsidy for seedling trees. In some cases, this covers 30% of the cost of the tree!
The image below outlines how many trees were purchased for Spring 2023 subsidized by the Healthy Forests Grant, and the number of landowners who participated. Thank you to the 44 landowners who have taken advantage of this grant since 2021!
This grant was provided in partnership with ERTH Corporation during the 2022 season. Thank you to ERTH for their generous sponsorship of the West Perth Healthy Forests Grant. |
| Upper Thames River Conservation Authority |
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Landowners who reside in the Upper Thames River watershed and own a minimum of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) are eligible to participate in the Tree Planting on Private Lands program of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Trees purchased through this program may be planted by the landowner or through the UTRCA’s full planting service. For pricing and availability, please contact Brenda Gallagher, Forestry Technician at 519-451-2800 x260 or visit their website at www.thamesriver.on.ca |
| Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority |
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Each year, Ausable Bayfield Conservation, landowners and municipalities plant tens of thousands of trees to improve forest conditions within the watershed. Landowners who reside in the Ausable Bayfield watershed may be eligible to participate in the tree planting program and receive funding. For pricing and availability, please contact Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist, at 519-235-2610, or visit their website at www.abca.ca |
| Maitland Valley Conservation Authority |
| Maitland Valley Conservation Authority has planted more than 1,350,000 trees since 1951! Landowners who reside in the Maitland Valley watershed may be eligible to participate in the tree planting program and receive funding.
For pricing and availability, please contact Geoff King at 519-335-3557 ext. 235 or visit their website at www.mvca.on.ca |
| Recommended Tree Species |
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We encourage landowners to plant native species of trees and other vegetation. Planting native species helps to re-establish ecosystems that existed before the development of the land (in our case, we are deciduous mixed forests, or Carolinian species). Pockets of native habitats in urban areas, and increasing areas of natural areas in rural West Perth provide natural links for species across the landscape. Native species are specifically adapted to our region's weather and climate patterns, meaning they require less water and fertilizer than non-native species and have a higher survival rate during periods of drought or extremely harsh winters. Native species are also more resistant to pests and fungal infections, as they will be heartier than non-native species. SO.... What should you plant? NATIVE DECIDUOUS TREES: For information on shrub and groundcover/garden plants, check out the Grow Me Instead Guide from the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
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