Woodland Management
The Woodland Management By-law is not a ban on tree cutting. It is a tool to help protect connected woodlands, reduce harmful clear cutting, and support healthy woodlands for the future.
The Township of Cavan Monaghan has taken steps to strengthen the protection of its natural heritage with the adoption of the Woodland Management By-law (No. 2026-38).
The Woodland Management By-law regulates the cutting of trees in Sensitive Natural Areas to help protect larger connected woodlands and the rural landscape of Cavan Monaghan.
Why has the Township adopted this By-law?
The Township does not currently have a local regulation related to tree cutting in Sensitive Natural Areas. This By-law will help protect important natural areas while providing a list of exempted normal farm and rural property maintenance activities.
What does the By-law do?
• Helps protect larger and connected woodlands.
• Helps prevent clear cutting in sensitive natural areas without review.
• Supports healthy forests, clean water, wildlife habitat, and rural character.
• Sets out when a permit may be needed.
• Lists many activities that are exempt including for normal agricultural uses
Does it apply to every tree?
No. The By-law is not meant to control every tree on private property. It is focused on certain tree cutting in Sensitive Natural Areas.
When does it apply?
It applies when tree cutting is happening in a Sensitive Natural Area and involves clear cutting or a cluster of five or more healthy, non-invasive trees that are at least 15 centimetres, or 6 inches wide.
Sensitive Natural Areas include woodlands, significant woodlands, significant wetlands, and areas in or near the Township’s Natural Heritage System.
What is clear cutting?
Clear cutting means removing trees from an area larger than 0.2 hectares, or about 0.5 acres. Clear cutting would need more review and may require a permit, a public meeting, and Council approval.
What is exempt?
• Cutting a single tree.
• Removing dead, diseased, hazardous, or invasive trees.
• Normal farm practices.
• Tree removal needed for an approved building permit.
• Personal use harvesting.
• Work completed as part of an approved Forest Management Plan.
Before you cut trees call the Township at 705-932-9321