SOUTH HURON – As the summer begins to wind down, a local conservation authority is gearing up for orders of trees for fall planting.
The past hot, dry summer highlighted the importance of shade trees and to keep summer cooling costs down, while the spring demonstrated the value of trees to protect the land from wind erosion, according to a press release.
“Planting trees for windbreaks is one way to reduce soil erosion,” said Ian Jean, who is a forestry and stewardship specialist at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.
“Topsoil is precious. It can be lost easily but it takes many years to rebuild,” he said, adding reducing soil erosion is one of many reasons it is important to preserve existing windbreaks and plant new ones.
Trees also mark property lines, reduce soil erosion, reduce temperature extremes for livestock, create habitat for birds and wildlife, and increase yields.
“Each year landowners, municipalities, and Ausable Bayfield conservation authority work together to plant tens of thousands of trees,” said Jean. “The fall tree order program is a chance for landowners and municipalities to order trees for windbreaks, roadside plantings, and other planting projects.”
Ausable Bayfield Conservation has announced its fall tree order program is under way. Several species of trees are available for order including white cedar, Norway spruce, white spruce, blue spruce, white pine, Austrian pine, silver maple, sugar maple, red oak, bur oak, and honeylocust. The fall tree order form is available online at the ABCA website at www.abca.on.ca/trees.php
ABCA is accepting mailed and faxed-in order forms, at its office east of Exeter, until Friday, Sept. 14, with payment required by Sept. 28.) Orders may also be placed in person at the ABCA Administration Centre office at 71108 Morrison Line, accompanied by payment in full, until Friday, Sept. 28.
Autumn is a good time to plant ball and burlap evergreens and potted deciduous trees, Jean said.
“We have two-foot balled and burlap conifers available in autumn are these are great for establishing windbreaks and shelterbelts on fields and farms,” Jean said.
Several grant programs are available to help with the cost of planting farm windbreaks, watercourse buffers, land retirement, and other stewardship projects.
Funding programs include Trees Ontario, the Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, and the Huron County Clean Water Project. Approved windbreaks or watercourse buffers in Huron County may receive matching funding up to 50 per cent through the Huron Clean Water Project. Farm businesses with an Environmental Farm Plan may be eligible for cost-share grants for tree planting.
Jean encourages farmers to contact their local Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) representative for details and application forms.
Funding is also available from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for windbreaks along provincial highways 4 and 21. Road parallel and perpendicular windbreaks will be considered on the east or west side of the highway. Projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by MTO. Call ABCA for details at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
The end of summer is not only a time to order trees for fall planting. It is also a time to think ahead for tree planting plans for the new year.
“September and October are the best times to do site preparation if you are thinking of planting trees next spring,” Jean said.
