SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council is weighing new rules to curb large-scale tree removal, with early support emerging for measures aimed at clear-cutting while leaving private property decisions alone.
The discussion took place during the committee of the whole meeting on April 27, where Planner Richard Grant presented options to better protect the town’s urban tree canopy. The report outlines three approaches: a clear-cutting bylaw, a private tree bylaw and a site alteration bylaw, or a blend of those tools.
Smiths Falls currently relies on a 2021 tree canopy policy that encourages preservation and planting but is not enforceable outside the development process. Grant said the report focuses on gaps, particularly where tree loss occurs on lands not tied to development applications.
Coun. Chris McGuire questioned whether new bylaws are needed at all.
“I’m not a big fan of dictating on private land,” he said, adding he was not convinced additional enforcement or staff time is warranted.
Coun. Jennifer Miller said the clear-cutting of heavily treed lots has been “disheartening,” noting mature canopy cannot be replaced within a lifetime.
“In our lifetime we won’t get those back,” she said, adding she would support measures to address clear-cutting but not the regulation of individual trees.
“I don’t really have any interest in managing a one-off tree.”
Coun. Peter McKenna said there has been little appetite for regulating private trees, pointing instead to incentives and existing planting efforts.
“We are a tree friendly town,” McKenna said, noting about 400 trees have been planted in recent years.
‘Most landowners love their trees and want to keep them as healthy as possible. I don’t think they need a bylaw to tell them how to manage their trees at this time.”
Coun. Dawn Quinn pointed to the practical realities of tree management, noting a healthy tree near her home had to be removed after damaging infrastructure.
She also highlighted community planting efforts, including small-scale “pocket forest” initiatives, and noted she had seen the Real Deal preparing to plant trees.
Council ultimately directed staff to explore options for a clear-cutting bylaw and a site alteration bylaw, without pursuing broader controls on private tree removal at this time.
The discussion comes as the town looks to maintain its canopy, estimated at about 35 per cent in 2019, above its 30 per cent target but vulnerable to gradual loss outside the development process.
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