The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) has made changes to its procedure for planting trees on its land, such as along county roads in 2026.
Trees are not being planted as windbreaks along rural county roads this year. Instead, the focus will be on planting trees for beautification purposes in low-speed areas. The pause on windbreak planting is temporary and resulted from a motion adopted by South Glengarry Council in October 2025 requesting the pause. South Glengarry alleged that SDG staff were not consulting with the municipality or property owners adequately before windbreak planting was done along roads. South Glengarry requested the pause until further consultations take place.
“It’s unfortunate to have to pause the roadside tree planting,” said North Glengarry Deputy Mayor at the SDG Counties Council meeting on June 15 in Cornwall. She added no one has ever intended to cancel the tree planting program entirely.
North Dundas Deputy Mayor Theresa Bergeron said she does not want to see delays and possibly go another year without tree planting in 2027. She asked if it is possible to go ahead and plant in critical areas where landowners have no objections.
Director of Transportation Services Cameron Harper said it is possible, depending on council’s recommendations. He is hopeful a committee examining the issue can reach a solution that works for all parties in the future.
South Glengarry Mayor Martin Lang was pleased to see windbreak planting paused this year. He cautioned staff against feeling there is an obligation to spend all of the funds considering there are also expenses involving the removal of dead ash trees and any unused funds could be saved for the next round of tree planting when the program is fully restored.
Locations for beautification-based tree planting on SDG-owned land will be carefully selected by forestry and operations personnel.
