Ontario's Forests - Top FAQ

There is an incentive program to landowners who qualify under the Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). Reforested lands qualify for tax relief under this program.

MFTIP is a voluntary program available to landowners who own four hectares or more of forest land, excluding residences, and who agree to prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan for their property. Under the MFTIP, participating landowners have their property reassessed and classified as Managed Forest and taxed at 25 percent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.

The Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) and the Ontario Forestry Association (OFA) are partners in the delivery of this program and handle most of the public inquiries and program administration. The Ontario Woodlot Association also offers is a forest services directory for landowners. It provides woodlot owners with a convenient way to access forest service providers and forestry-related products they may require while undertaking management activities in their woodlot. If you have a forest-related business you can submit an application to add your information to the directory.

The Ontario Stewardship is a program of the Ministry of Natural Resources linking landowners, land interest groups and agencies to encourage responsible land care on private lands.

Related links:

Ontario Forest Managed Tax Incentive Program

Ontario Woodlot Association

Woodlot Marketplace (Forest Services Directory)

Ontario Forestry Association

Ontario Stewardship

Encouraging Private Forest Stewardship

List of MNR offices in Ontario

Ontario's Tree Seed Facility (custom seed extraction and cone suppliers)

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) no longer provides tree seedlings for planting.

However, there are private firms that provide seedlings for the purpose of reforestation, planting on private land, municipal and school projects and special occasions (weddings, trade shows, fund raisers etc.). The MNR supported the development of ontariowoodlot.com which is a web site that contains a forest services directory for landowners including information on locating tree nurseries and purchasing trees.

The MNR is also a partner in the Trees Ontario Foundation. The Foundation supports local community based tree planting initiatives and is a good place to contact to see what tree planting options are available in different parts of Ontario.

Ontariowoodlot.com | Trees Ontario Foundation

A resident in Ontario is entitled to harvest one Christmas tree per family each year from Crown land north of the French and Mattawa Rivers. We encourage residents to get these trees from areas where active forest management is not occurring. For example, we suggest cutting trees from hydro or highway right-of ways rather than from Crown land forested areas. Also consider a species of lesser commercial value like balsam fir. An OMNR office closest to your location can help you determine a Crown land area that may be best suited to harvest a Christmas tree.

Due to the large amount of privately owned land and the extensive Christmas tree industry in southern Ontario, the opportunity to cut trees from Crown land in that part of Ontario does not apply south of the French and Mattawa Rivers.