COVID-19 Information

Proof of vaccination is required at indoor town facilities. Oakville remains in Step 3 of the Province’s reopening plan until October 25. Please continue to follow all current public health measures.

COVID information
  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
  • 905-845-6601
Town of Oakville home
  • Online Services
    • Online Services

      • Sign in or Create an Account
      • Report a Problem
      • Parking and Enforcement
      • Construction and Renovations
      • Property Records
      • Recreation and Culture
      • Job Opportunities
      • Bids and Tenders
      • Other Town Services
  • For Residents
    • For Residents

      • Accessibility and Inclusion
      • By-law Enforcement
      • Calendar
      • Cemeteries
      • Community Resources
      • Education and Learning
      • Elections
      • Emergency Services
      • Engagement Hub
      • Events
      • Facilities
      • Fire Department
      • Getting Around
      • Harbours
      • Home and Property
      • Licensing
      • Life Events
      • Maps
      • Oakville Transit
      • Parking
      • Parks, Gardens and Trails
      • Planning and Development
      • Recreation and Culture Programs
      • Roads, Sidewalks and Traffic
      • Seniors Services
      • Taxes and Assessments
      • Trees and Woodlands
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Culture and Recreation
    • Culture and Recreation

      • Arts and Culture
      • Education and Learning
      • Events
      • Facilities and Rentals
      • Getting Around
      • Harbours
      • Heritage and History
      • Library
      • Maps
      • Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
      • Oakville Museum
      • Park Listing
      • Parks, Gardens and Trails
      • Program Registration
      • Recreation and Culture Programs
      • Visiting Oakville
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • For Business
    • For Business

      • Building, Planning and Development
      • Business Directory
      • Business Improvement Areas
      • Business Licensing
      • Business Start-up
      • Economic Development
      • Maps
      • Sponsorship and Advertising
      • Taxes and Assessments
      • Town Procurement
      • Visiting Oakville
      • Zoning
  • Environment
    • Environment

      • Air
      • Climate Change
      • Community Sustainability
      • Corporate Sustainability
      • Education and Learning
      • Energy
      • Environmental Stewardship
      • Land
      • Monitoring and Indicators
      • Water
      • Wildlife and Biodiversity
  • Town Hall
    • Town Hall

      • Accessibility
      • Administration, CAO and Commissioners
      • Agendas and Minutes
      • Budgets and Finances
      • By-laws
      • Calendar
      • Citizen Surveys
      • Committees
      • Corporate Initiatives
      • Council
      • Elections
      • Employment
      • Events
      • Facilities
      • Freedom of Information
      • Human Resources
      • Mayor
      • News and Notices
      • Oakville Transit
      • Open Data
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Town Services
      • Zoning
  • Search

Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program FAQ

What is the Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program?

The Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program is part of the town’s EAB management program to mitigate the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. The EAB management program has five components in all: Canopy Conservation/Ash Tree Treatment Program, Community Engagement Program, Hazard Abatement /Ash Tree Removal Program, Ash Tree Replacement Program, and Quality Control/EAB Monitoring Program. Starting this winter, as weather and ground conditions permit, the town will implement the 2016 Woodlands Hazard Abatement Program to remove hazardous dead and dying ash trees from the town’s trails and woodlands for public safety and to help the forest regrow. This is year two of a ten-plus year program.

Why are you removing ash trees in the woodlands and not treating them?

Since 2008, the town has been successfully treating 75 per cent of the treatable ash tree canopy on streets and in active parks with the bio-insecticide TreeAzin. It is not financially or operationally feasible to treat all 43,000 ash trees in the town’s woodlands. As well, evidence shows that treatment is not effective in dense, low-light conditions, such as heavily treed woodlands.

Why are you removing the trees and not just letting them stand?

Most, if not all of the 43,000 ash trees in the town’s woodlands are now dead or dying. They are becoming brittle and structurally unsound due to the lack of nutrients caused by the EAB larva tunneling under the bark. Brittle trees can lose limbs or fall, causing serious injury to people using the trails, or serious damage to private property that borders the trails. Removing dead trees also allows new trees and shrubs to grow, renewing the forest more quickly.

Are you removing all of the ash trees in the woodlands?

We are removing ash trees near public trails or private property. Trees in the woods that are away from public areas and are not in danger of falling on trails or property are being left. Some other trees that are identified as structurally unsound or are over-crowding the forest and compromising proper forest health will be selected for removal at the same time. This is in keeping with accepted sustainable forest management practices.

How will residents know which trees are being removed?

The town follows the Ministry of Natural Resources’ tree marking guidelines.

  • Trees identified for removal are marked with a yellow dot or slash or an orange X.
  • An orange dot means the tree is scheduled to be pruned.

When will the removals take place?

This year’s ash tree removals will begin to take place when weather and ground conditions permit, likely in the winter of 2016. The ground must be hard enough to allow heavy equipment to enter the trails with minimal damage.

What will be the impact to the woodland and residents?

In some cases there will be minimal impact to the area and to residents. In other instances, where there is a significant proportion of ash, there may be considerable change in the appearance of the woodland until replanting and natural regeneration take effect. While the woodland floor may look messy, cut trees and branches left on the forest floor is important for natural regeneration and wildlife habitat. During operations, residents can expect to see and hear heavy machinery and temporary piles of logs on side streets as they are gathered for removal.

Will woodlands or trails be closed?

Portions of select woodlands and trails will be temporarily closed while trees are removed. Areas will be reopened once they are safe for public access.

What are the plans for cleanup and removal?

Some large trunks and logs may be removed in areas where it is feasible and will pose minimal impact to the woodlands. Other pieces of wood and branches are left behind on the forest floor to help the forest regenerate. Piles of wood and branches are kept within a maximum height of 1.2 metres, in keeping with acceptable forest management practices. Crews will ensure walking trails and creeks are clear and that there is a five-metre clearance behind property/fence lines.

What about replanting?

While natural regeneration will account for most of the regrowth in the woodlands, the town will continue to establish a number of concentrated planting sites to help the forest regrow more rapidly with desirable native species.

Where can I get more information?

More information can be found on the Woodlands Hazard Abatement page or by contacting ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

How to find Us

  • Contact us
  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario
  • 905-845-6601

Connect with the Town of Oakville

Translate this page:  
Town of Oakville

Copyright © 2021 Town of Oakville. All Rights Reserved.

Accessibility Legal Information Privacy

Accessibility Legal Information Privacy