Trees

County of Wellington Leaf and Yard Waste Program

The County of Wellington provides leaf and yard waste material collection in urban areas only. 

For more information on the County's leaf and yard waste program, visit the County's website.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native insect pest which is advancing through Ontario threatening the existence of ash trees. The insect invades ash trees eventually killing them in a matter of a few years from the time of their initial infestation.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has taken actions to limit the spread of EAB by issuing a ministerial order to prohibit the movement of firewood of all tree species, as well as ash tree products such as nursery stock, logs, branches and wood chips, into different regions. Please buy and burn firewood locally to reduce the risk of spreading forest pests.

​What the Township is doing about EAB

The Township is progressing with the monitoring, replacement, and removal of trees infected by the EAB as part of the Management plan prepared October 28, 2015. The Management Plan identified 2,681 ash trees found in the Townships parks and along urban streets. .

In 2016, the Township began the implementation of an Emerald Ash Borer program along urban streets and public parks within its identified capital funding by taking the following actions:

1. Dead, high risk and poor conditions ash trees on urban streets and in public parks which pose a risk to people and/or property were removed.
2. A plantable spaces inventory and planting strategy was developed along with tree planting along urban streets and in public parks​

2018 EAB Work Plan

Monitoring of ash trees within the Township will continue throughout the year. As the management practices are implemented, the municipal inventory of the health and condition of our ash trees will be continually updated. Likewise the inventorying of ash trees located along the Townships rural roads will continue.

Proactive planting in areas where ash trees are found will be prioritized, followed by the removal of trees that are highly infested with the EAB or structurally unstable. Wherever possible replacement trees will be planted under the canopy of existing ash trees so that the newly planted trees may benefit from the shelter provided by the mature trees and the disruption of the public forest due to tree removal is limited.

In addition to the replacement planting staff will pursue opportunities for large community planting events in the Townships natural areas, industrial areas and along pathways.

Ash logs will be stockpiled at the Township Maintenance Yards. Residents are encouraged to contact the Township if they are interested in repurposing the logs in a way that does not cause the spread of EAB. Two weeks prior to the planting of new street trees, a Tree Planting Door Hanger will be delivered to the proposed planting site. In addition, a tree removal notice will be posted on ash trees prior to removal. ​Please note that any affected tree not on Township property is the responsibility of the property owner to address. When replacing trees that have been removed, a blend of tree species will be replanted in order to diversify the range of tree species types.

Tree Planting Schedule

• Tree planting will occur during the spring and the fall season with notifications delivered prior to start of planting.
• In most cases tree removals will occur in late fall or over the winter.
• Community planting events will occur in the spring.

How to Identify an Ash Tree​

There are four species of ash trees found in Southern Ontario, all which are affected by the EAB infestation (white, green, red, black, and blue ash).

To determine if you have an ash tree look for the following characteristics

• Are the twigs opposite to each other where they attach to the branch (as opposed to alternating)? If the tree has twigs that emerge from the branch opposite to each other, it may be an ash. Look at several sets of twigs though, sometimes twigs have broken off
• Look at the leaves of the tree. Ash trees have compound leaves. A compound leaf is divided into distinct parts called leaflets, unlike a simple leaf (like an oak or maple) which is one piece
• Ash leaves have 5-11 leaflets attached along a central stalk - 1 at the end of the stalk, and the rest arranged opposite to each other in a feather-like arrangement. The edges of ash leaflets will be either smooth or very finely toothed
• Only female ash trees produce seeds and many trees planted in urban areas are male, so your ash tree may or may not have seeds. Ash seeds, when present, are oar-shaped and grow in bunches

Ash Trees on Private Property​

The Township is responsible for maintaining or removing Township-owned ash trees (in Township road allowances, parks and natural areas). Private property owners are responsible for removing and disposing of affected ash trees that are found on their property. It is recommended that the owner use a certified arborist and ensure that ash trees are removed in a safe and timely manner. Ash trees should be removed promptly following mortality in order to minimize risk to people and property.

Report A Problem

Tips for Compost and Mulching

The Infrastructure Services Department encourages, where possible, mulching leaves with a mower. Valuable nutrients will be returned to the soil in a form that can be used by plants. Spreading the mulched leaves in flowerbeds will help prevent frost from damaging sensitive perennials.

Leaf composting is also encouraged. Using standard composting methods, add layers of alternating green (green leaves and plants) and brown materials (dried leaves and plants) to your compost pile and layer with garden soil or compost. In the spring, you will have a nutrient rich supply of compost to use on your lawn and garden.

Using mulch and compost in your garden and flowerbeds will help conserve soil moisture and will return nutrients to the soil providing beautiful gardens that will require less watering and maintenance.

Tree Planting

Tree planting and tree maintenance is either contracted out or undertaken by staff on an annual basis. If you wish to have a tree planted on a piece of municipal property (boulevards, roadsides etc.) adjacent to your property, contact the Infrastructure Services Department and your request will be reviewed.

Centre Wellington participates in the County's Green Legacy program

Centre Wellington's Commemorative Tree Program​

 Tree Trimming and Removal

Township staff will evaluate any potentially unsafe, dead or diseased tree on municipal property and recommend a specific course of action.  If one of these trees is near a home and requires removal, the resident will be notified. However, if the condition of the tree requires immediate action, the Township is authorized to immediately remove the limb or tree at their discretion. Trees will be trimmed if they are blocking signs or signal lights.