Can I cut down a butternut tree in Ontario?

Generally, it is an offence under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) to kill, harm, or take a Butternut tree. However, Ontario Regulation 242/08 (under the ESA) provides exemptions for some activities pertaining to Butternut.

Are butternut trees on the endangered species list?

Although butternut has been proposed for listing as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service has taken no action.

Can you cut down a butternut tree?

An unhealthy or dead butternut tree can only be cut down if it is assessed as “non-retainable” by a Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) – designated Butternut Health Assessor (BHA).

Is butternut wood endangered?

Butternut is assessed as endangered in Canada by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and is listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. There has been a significant decline in butternut populations due to the fungal disease butternut canker.

Why are butternut trees protected in Ontario?

Butternut trees across North America have been infected by a fungus known as Butternut Canker. This fungus usually kills the tree. The Butternut tree is an endangered species and is protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act .

Are butternut trees valuable?

Butternut (Juglans cinera) is a tree that is more valuable for its sweet oily tasting nuts than for its lumber.

What happened to the butternut trees?

Because of this little fungus, and a few tag-along friends, we no longer have the company of healthy, productive butternut trees (Juglans cinerea). The butternut canker is what we call the infection that began killing off the species sometime in the 1960s. The dying of the butternut has taken a long time.

How many butternut trees are in Ontario?

13,000 Butternut
There are about 13,000 Butternut in Ontario. Its scattered presence makes it difficult to do a complete inventory.

Why are butternut trees dying?

Butternut trees of all ages are killed by butternut canker disease, caused by Sirococcus clavigignenti- juglandacearum (Sc-j), a fungus found throughout butternut’s range. Although butternut is affected by other pests and diseases, Sc-j is the most serious threat to butternut’s survival (Furnier et al., 1999).

What is killing the butternut tree?

The butternut tree is being killed throughout its range by a canker caused by the fungus Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum, described as a new species in 1979. Although there are no reports of this fungus causing disease outside of North America, it is thought to be an exotic pathogen.

How do you identify a butternut tree?

Butternut trees can be identified first by their leaves, which are compound and made up of 11 to 17 leaflets, each nine to 15 centimetres long. They are arranged in a feather-like pattern. Butternut trees also produce a large nut with a single seed, surrounded by light green, sticky, fuzzy husk.

Are butternut trees protected in Ontario?

The Butternut tree is an endangered species and is protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. By law, what you can do with a Butternut tree depends on its health.

Is the Butternut bird endangered?

Butternut is listed as endangered on the SARO List. The species is also listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act ( SARA ). Environment Canada prepared the Recovery Strategy for the Butternut in Canada in 2010 to meet its requirements under the SARA.

Do I need an Endangered Species Act authorization to remove a butternut tree?

If you are planning an activity that may harm or remove a Butternut tree, you may need to obtain an Endangered Species Act authorization for your activity (such as, a permit or agreement), or, your activity may be eligible for a conditional exemption under either:

Is it an offence to kill a butternut tree?