Seeing the Forest
AND the Trees
By Kendra Jackson

Aside from their inherent beauty, magnificent character and undeniable strength, trees contribute to the earth’s environmental cycles by serving to generate oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and recycle nutrients, protect waterways and prevent flooding. They are home to myriad birds and other arboreal creatures. And they also provide privacy and scenic backdrops to our lives. For these reasons, they are our wards; we are responsible for ensuring their survival.

The woodlands of Simcoe County are a mixture of, among others, sugar maple, red oak, ash, white pine, beech and yellow birch and the pungent aroma that permeates these forests is a robust blend unique to the area. And it falls to the area’s residents – permanent and seasonal – to maintain the integrity of this important environmental landscape. While some cutting of trees is permissible and unavoidable as landowners renovate or build anew, there are some restrictions that are to be followed. Knowing what can be cut, how much can be cut and for what purposes the cutting is made are all factors that should be addressed before you wield a chainsaw. To that end, it is important to become familiar with the tree-cutting by-law for Simcoe County.

As per the current by-law, which came into effect June 6th, 2002, there are specific diameter and circumference measurements each species of tree must exceed before they are eligible for “cutting, burning, bulldozing or other means” of removal. Differing species of trees are divided into three sections and each section has its own measurements. Before removing any trees from your property, you would be wise to have a look at these specifications. You can find the exact dimensions listed in section 2 of the Tree Cutting By-law, which can be found in its entirety on the Simcoe County Web site, www.county.simcoe.on.ca: select Department and Services (from the list ABOVE “Departments & Services”); By-law Enforcement; and Tree Cutting By-law No. 4744.

If you want or need to remove trees from your land, and have owned your land for at least two years, there are no major obstacles to overcome – as long as the cut trees are used for your own purposes. However, if the cut material is destined to leave your property you must submit (by mail or hand-delivered) a Notice of Intent to destroy trees to the By-Law Enforcement Office of the County of Simcoe at least five days before you begin cutting. Also under the by-law, when removing trees from one’s own property, you must take caution to ensure that you avoid injuring or damaging any other tree not designated for destruction.

Trees that are growing in “sensitive natural areas” (which include locally, regionally and provincially significant wetlands, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, and habitats of vulnerable, threatened and endangered species) are more stringently protected than those found on privately owned land. The local official plans and Conservation Authorities determine areas within Simcoe County that are deemed to be naturally and environmentally sensitive.

There are some exceptions to the by-law, including trees that are growing within 50 feet of a building or trees destroyed in order to build if a proper building permit has been obtained; Christmas trees harvested for sale; and trees growing in a woodlot that is less than two acres. Also, if trees are “cut in accordance with good forestry practice,” they may be exempt. According to the by-law, “good forestry practice” means: properly implementing harvest, renewal and maintenance procedures that are beneficial to the forest and environmental conditions and which minimize damage to forest values (fish and wildlife habitat, soil and water quality and quantity, forest productivity and health). Trees that are removed because they are diseased, damaged or infested with insects should also be removed in accordance to “good forestry practice,” since removing sick or injured trees helps to prevent contamination or infestation.

If you are concerned with tree cutting on your own property or a property in your neighbourhood you can contact the Simcoe County’s By-Law Enforcement Officer at (705) 726-9300 ext. 175. Or you can obtain your own copy of the by-law from the Simcoe County Web site as noted previously.