Forest carbon in Ontario

Forest management activities can affect the amount of carbon stored in a forest by influencing, for example, the amount of forest cover, the growth rate of trees, and the extent to which forest soils are disturbed. Establishing new trees after harvest and tending them to promote growth will help to increase stored carbon. Delaying regeneration or unnecessarily reducing forested area by excessive road building will reduce stored carbon. Some forest managers are already working to include carbon assessments in their forest management plans to help determine the effects of forest management activities on carbon storage. Forest carbon storage is one of a number of values that could be considered in implementing a sustainable forest management program.

In general, the amount of carbon stored in Ontario’s forests can be increased by protecting forests from natural disturbances, increasing forest growth rates, converting non-forested areas to forests, and avoiding deforestation (permanent removal of forests). Today, the Ontario government is:

• Promoting the rapid establishment of new forests after harvest
• Increasing growth rates by ensuring that tree species are planted on suitable sites and using seed from the best-quality trees 
• Where feasible, protecting forests from fire and insects 
• Minimizing deforestation and planting trees in open areas, particularly in southern Ontario 
• Promoting the use of wood products to store carbon for long periods

Life cycle analysis of wood products

Researchers are examining the amount of carbon emitted at each stage of the life cycle of a wood product, including harvest, transport, manufacture, delivery, use, and disposal. This work is known as life cycle analysis.

Research in Ontario on the expected life cycle of wood products is in its infancy, but some information is available from other areas. When trees are harvested, 50 to 75 percent of the wood is used in wood products. Depending on the type of product and what happens to it over time, a product can store carbon for a few years to many decades. Most wood products enter the landfill after retaining carbon for long periods and continue to retain carbon for some time before decaying.

Planting 50 million trees by 2020 to sequester carbon
An Ontario government tree planting initiative in southern Ontario is increasing carbon storage by establishing trees in areas that were previously converted to non-forest uses. This effort will also:

• Help to diversify southern Ontario’s landscape by replacing forests lost to the construction of new homes, businesses, and farms 
• Provide shade and moderate local temperature extremes 
• Help to conserve local soil and water quality 
• Provide wildlife habitat 

Through Trees Ontario, more than 5.7 million trees have been planted as part of this initiative in partnership with conservation authorities, stewardship councils and other organizations across southern Ontario. As well, MNR partnered with Evergreen to plant 100,000 trees in communities across the province.