Woodlots are commonplace throughout the rural Credit River Watershed. They play an important role in providing communities with clean air, increased climate resilience, recreational enjoyment, habitat for wildlife and more. But planting them can seem daunting and keeping them healthy requires a lot of work.
Aaron Day, CVC’s Forestry Program Manager and a Registered Professional Forester, answered some commonly asked questions on planting trees and managing established woodlots.
Tree Planting on Rural Properties
I’m interested in planting trees. How can CVC help?
We offer a full-service tree and shrub planting program to landowners who own properties larger than two acres. With your input, we plan, design and implement your planting project. We’ll collaborate to build a project that meets your goals and restoration objectives for the watershed, such as increasing forest cover or improving habitats by adding tree cover adjacent to streams. Our program also includes monitoring and, depending on the types of trees planted and the project needs, some site preparation and maintenance.
What is the cost to plant trees with CVC?
Several funding opportunities are available to cover up to 100 per cent of the planting cost. Prices vary by tree species, size of plants, the number of trees to be planted, site preparation and maintenance needs. Typically, costs can range from a few dollars to $30 to $40 per tree.
I want to plant trees on my property, but I’m not sure I have enough space. How much do I need?
The amount of space you need depends on how many trees you’re planning to plant, as well as your motivation for planting. We require a minimum property size of two acres and a minimum planting area of about 0.2 acres.
What types of trees should I plant?
The types of trees you should plant depend on various factors, such as the conditions of your planting area, past land use and your motivations for planting. Our program staff have expertise and experience in designing plans and can help you choose the right species to thrive on your property.
I’m ready to plant trees on my rural property. How do I start?
Contact us for a no-obligation site visit to explore your planting and forest management opportunities.
Managing Your Woodlot
How do I know if my woodlot is healthy?
A lot goes into assessing the health of your woodlot, including its:
- Age
- Type, for example: cedar, hardwood or plantation forest
- Understory growth
- Diversity of species
- Size and number of trees
- Exposure to invasive species
The number of unhealthy and dead trees is also important to consider when assessing the health of your woodlot.
What should I do about dead or dying trees?
Not all trees will be healthy in a functioning forest ecosystem and that’s not always a bad thing. Unhealthy, dying trees are normal and provide important habitat for wildlife and contribute to nutrient cycling and soil health. As trees die, they also create light and space for new trees to grow.
Unless the dead tree poses a safety risk, such as next to a trail, or could fall and cause property damage, doing nothing is the best approach. The exception would be if the cause of decline is because of invasive pests or disease, or if there appear to be many dying trees all at the same time. Then it’s time to call in an expert to assess the cause.
I want to manage my woodlot but am concerned about costs. What support is available?
Thinning is a common practice used to manage a forest. It involves removing suppressed or unhealthy trees to free up light and space for other trees and plants to grow in your woodlot. Projects to thin your forest may be eligible for funding through our Landowner Action Fund, Rural Water Quality Programs and other programs.
My woodlot isn’t eligible for the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). Should I still be managing it?
Absolutely! Well-planned, appropriate management actions tailored to your forest and its unique conditions can go a long way to improve its health and resilience. As a reminder, newly planted trees are eligible for MFTIP—expanding your forest can change your eligibility.
I’m interested in learning more about managing my woodlot. How do I get started?
If you live in the Credit River Watershed and have a property larger than two acres, connect with us to start planning a tree planting project for spring 2027.
You can also reach out to us or a forestry consultant who employs a registered professional forester for help with managing your woodlot.