Northumberland County Forest Conservation (Tree) By-Law page
Northumberland County, Ontario
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# Forest Conservation (Tree) By-Law
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If you have a pending or active Tree Cutting Permit in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, work must adhere to the new CFIA regulations.
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The goal of Northumberland County's Forest Conservation By-Law (By-Law 2015-27) is to promote good forestry practices and the maintenance of woodlands.
##### Why is this important?
Maintaining forest cover benefits the community by providing many ecosystem services such as:
* Water retention and filtration
* Air filtration
* Beneficial insects and wildlife
* Climate regulation
The Forest Conservation By-Law helps ensure that forest resources are maintained throughout the community over the long-term.
## Apply for a harvesting permit
Before applying for a harvesting permit, please review the full by-law for details and contact us to discuss your application.
Review the By-Law
## Types of permits
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#### Good Forestry Practices Permit
Obtaining a Good Forestry Practices Permit requires a prescription prepared by a designated Registered Professional Forester or Associate Member. Trees must be marked by a qualified Tree Marker, as defined in the by-law.
#### Diameter Limit Cutting Permit
* Diameter Limit Cutting allows harvesting down to a minimum tree circumference, as outlined in the by- law. Harvesting must not reduce the basal area below 15m2/ha.
* Diameter Limit Cutting is considered a poor forestry practice that can lead to long-term negative ecological and economic effects on your woodland.
* Diameter Limit Cutting is not permitted on lands benefiting from the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.
#### How to submit a permit
1. Before submitting the Schedule A - Harvest Permit, please contact our Forest team to discuss your application.
2. After consulting with our Forest team, download and fill out the Schedule A - Harvest Permit.
3. To complete your application, email the completed Schedule A - Harvest Permit to the Forest team.
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* Landowners that want to clear forest, or perform management activities that will injure or destroy trees and alter the forest so that it no longer meets the definition of woodland, must apply for relief from By-Law 2015-27 (Schedule "B").
* The applicant must identify the area of trees to be injured or destroyed, and explain the rationale for this. Applicants should expect a minimum wait time of five weeks for application review and decision.
* Permits for clearing four hectares or more will require Council approval. At the County's discretion, some permits under four hectares may also require Council approval.
* Approval of Relief from the By-Law does not constitute any other development approvals, and landowners must comply with all other regulations including, but not limited to, those of the municipality and conservation authority.
#### Submit a permit
Submit a permit - **Before submitting a permit, please contact us to discuss your application.**
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##### Fines for by-law violations
Violations of the Forest Conservation By-Law may result in fines of up to $100,000 for a single offence and an order to replant any trees that have been illegally removed.
## New regulations for Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
If you have a pending or active Tree Cutting Permit in the Township of Alnwick / Haldimand, work must adhere to the new Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations below. The CFIA has added Township of Alnwick / Haldimand to the Regulated Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Area.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infested Place Order, 2025
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### Regulated items under the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infested Place Order
Items that cannot be moved out of the regulated areas without approval include:
* hemlock, yeddo spruce, and tiger-tail spruce:
* plants for planting (that is, nursery stock, and other plant parts)
* forest products with bark attached (that is, logs, lumber, bark chips, wood mulch)
* dried branches
* Christmas trees
* fresh decorative wreaths, foliage and branches
* firewood of all species
Contact the CFIA if you have questions.
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##### Resources
Are you thinking about harvesting your woodlot? Here are some resources to consult:
* Ontario Woodlot Association
* Guide to Selling Standing Timber
* Eastern Ontario Model Forest
* Forests Ontario
* Ontario Professional Foresters Association
* Landowner Resource Centre