Sustainable Timber Harvest in the York Regional Forest
Trees will be sustainably harvested at the end of November/beginning of December 2025 from Eldred King Woodlands in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. The work is expected to take three to four weeks. The harvest will then move to the following tracts:
- Clarke and Hall Tracts in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Bendor and Graves (TBC) and Zephyr Tracts in the Town of East Gwillimbury
The order and start date for the remaining tracts has not yet been finalized. Details will be posted on york.ca/YRF once confirmed.
All tracts (except for Bendor and Graves with the McCowan Road entrance remaining open) will be closed for the duration of the timber harvest. While some noise and dust from equipment may be noticeable, efforts will be made to minimize disruptions. Work in each tract is expected to take three to four weeks, and the harvest will finish mid-April 2026.
Sustainable harvesting of the York Regional Forest involves the selective removal of mature Red Pine trees, allowing more light and water to reach the growing native species - promoting natural regeneration. It is conducted only when necessary, typically every 10 to 20 years, to ensure a balanced and thriving forest ecosystem.
The process follows strict environmental guidelines and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), recognizing responsible forest management.
The York Regional Forest includes 22 tracts open to the public with over 150 kilometres of scenic trails, offering many alternative areas for outdoor recreation. For more information, visit york.ca/YRF or call 1-877-464-9675.
