Private Owned Woodlots
Information for Private Landowners
The County of Middlesex believes that private landowners have a key role to play to ensure that sustainably managed forests remain a part of Ontario’s future.
The County’s Woodlands Conservation Bylaw No. 7314, passed under the Municipal Act, regulates the destruction or injuring of trees within woodlands on private property to prevent deforestation, overharvesting and to promote good forestry practices. The By-law provides for selective cutting / commercial timber harvest within regulated woodlands under either Good Forestry or Circumference Limit practices. The County’s Woodlands Conservation Officer, appointed by County Council, actively administers and enforces the By-Law.
By-law No. 7314 provides exemptions for certain activities that can cause the destruction of trees, including but not limited to a licensed aggregate pit or quarry, municipal drain maintenance, and where County Council approves a ‘Council Exemption’.
Timber Harvest/Logging Notice of Intent
According to Bylaw No. 7314, County Council requires that private landowners file a Notice of Intent and ensure they receive a certificate of compliance before they intend to cut or destroy trees in woodlands specified in the By-law.
Timber Harvest/Logging Notice of Intent & Applications for Private Landowners
Note: Please submit a Notice of Intent 14 days prior to proposed start date if you intend to do any tree cutting or destroying in your woodlot and ensure that you receive a certificate of compliance prior to undertaking any work.