Trees for Rural Roads Program

The earliest large-scale, systematic planting efforts date back 150 years to when the Ontario Legislature passed an act in 1871 encouraging the planting of trees on highways. Municipalities were to pay landowners up to $0.25 per tree for trees planted along the roads. The province was to cost-share with the municipalities, but a quarter century later, only ten percent of the money had been spent, and the act was repealed. Although this would suggest the program failed, trees from this era (or soon after) line many of our roads today.

The majority of trees farmers transplanted from their woodlots were maples. This gave rise to an important element in the rural landscape-lines of stately maples alongside roads. The legacy of tree-lined roads is embedded in many people's memories and part of the rural aesthetic.

These century-old (and older) trees are succumbing to old age, exposure to wind, insects, and disease. The program was developed in 2012 to help replace and plant trees along our rural roadways.

The Trees for Rural Roads program benefits the local environment, community and economy. It provides increased tree canopy cover and wildlife habitat, as well as climate change mitigation, local history preservation and community engagement.

Trees must be planted just inside the property line on private property, adjacent to the road right of way. Offset must be provided from power lines and other overhead or underground obstructions.

Photo above: White Spruce planted in 2012 as part of Trees for Rural Roads

The Trees for Rural Roads program is available to all rural residents. The trees provided for free by the program, are to be planted along roadways by the private property owners on their land (being their contribution).

The Trees for Rural Roads program is not designed to plant along laneways, within private yards or for hedgerow replacement. If property owners desire more trees for laneway planting and other locations, the Conservation Authorities may be able to assist with other programs they operate. Trees will not be provided to plant along Provincial roadways, private roads, unopened/unmaintained roads or urban areas (Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, and Orono).

The program distributes bare-root and potted deciduous stock 1 to 1.5 metres in height and small potted coniferous trees (half-metre height). This size is easier to transport and plant, and the growth will catch up to caliper stock over time. Native trees include sugar, red, and silver maples; red and white oak; white pine; white spruce; and white birch. Tree guards for the deciduous trees and mulch mats for all trees are provided for free.

Photo above: Bundles of bare-root trees at 2015 Trees for Rural Roads Pick-up

You will receive tree pickup information once your application is accepted. Trees pickup is typically coordinated at the Orono Works Yard at the end of April.

Photo above: Potted, coniferous and deciduous trees ready for pick up at the Orono Depot in 2016

• Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
• LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program
• Durham Trees
• Forests Ontario
• Maple Leaves Forever