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top FAQ - Forests

 
Does the MNR provide tree seedlings?

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

Is there a financial incentive for private landowners to conserve their forests?

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)


 

Can I harvest trees on Crown land for firewood?
It is illegal to harvest trees from Crown land in Ontario without first obtaining a permit. While it may seem that there are thousands of them on a particular site, it is important not to remove them. Permits can be obtained by contacting an MNR office in nearest to your location.
Can I harvest a Christmas tree on Crown land?

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.


 

Popular FAQ - Forests

 
Can I buy or rent Crown land?

Crown land in Ontario accounts for about 87 per cent of Ontario’s total area.

The Ontario Government sells and rents Crown land in Ontario. In most situations, Crown land rentals or sales are done on a competitive basis so that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn of the properties' availability and submit bids if they are interested. Competitive processes also ensure that the province receives the highest possible return for the use of its land assets.

Public tenders, auctions and draws are some of the approaches that are used.

You can find more information about buying and renting Crown land on the Crown Land Management web site.
You can also contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) at 1-800 876-2435 or, a MNR office in your area.

MNR office locations

Some locations may not have Crown land for sale or rent. You may need to contact a local real estate agent or speak directly to local landowners.

Where can I find a map for the area I want to hunt, camp or hike?

For maps on Crown land contact an MNR office nearest to the area to wish to hunt. Many areas for hunting are on private or county forest, especially southern Ontario. These inquiries should be made to the private landowner or to the county.
If your inquiry is about logging road access, the local MNR office would be the best source for the information you require.

If you are a recreational enthusiast, maps which show hiking trails longer than 20 km can be found on the Ontario Trails Council web site.

How can I prevent the spread of invasive insects?

Invasive insects in Ontario include the Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer, pine shoot beetle and Sirex woodwasp. Discoveries of the Asian long-horned beetle in North America were made by alert, observant citizens who informed the appropriate agencies to manage and control invasive pests. Early detection is crucial to stop invasive insects from becoming established and spreading.

Learn to recognize what the adult beetle and infested trees look like, as well as which host trees the insect targets.

Report signs and symptoms of infested trees to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) by phone, 1 800 442-2342 (toll free), or online at www.inspection.gc.ca, or contact the OMNR at 1 800 667-1940 (toll free), or your local municipal parks or forestry department.

Don’t move infested wood material from the regulated zone to new areas. This includes firewood of all tree species, nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber and wood or bark chips.

Firewood should always be obtained locally and burned on-site.

Property owners within or near an infested area should watch for signs of infestation and keep trees well-watered and fertilized. If you suspect a tree is infested, notify the CFIA. The CFIA will remove infested and potentially infested trees. There is no charge for this service and you may be eligible for compensation.

 

For more information on forest health issues, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940

Where can I find maps, aerial photographs and satellite images

A wide variety of information available as maps can be found at various MNR sites. Here are some of the more popular maps: 

- Restricted Fire Zones in Ontario
- Ontario Forest Fire Regions
- Maps and Geographic Information
- Rabies Maps 
- Low Water Maps

Geospatial land information can be found at the Land Information Ontario web site. This site is dedicated to making Ontario's geospatial land information accessible, well-managed, easy to integrate, and affordable by those who need it.

If your inquiry is about maps for areas for hunting, it is suggested that you contact an OMNR office nearest to you. Areas for hunting may be private or county forest especially southern Ontario. If there is Crown land available, a local OMNR office would know. If there is no Crown land available, you should inquire about the county forest. The MNR office may have the maps of the county blocks or at least give you a contact for the county forests.

If your inquire is about logging road access, the local MNR office would be the best source for the information you require. 

If you are a recreational enthusiast, maps which show hiking trails longer thatn 20km can be found on the Ontario Trails Council website.