We gain several advantages from forests, including carbon sequestration, food production, shade, and natural beauty. The capacity of Canadian wildlife to find food and shelter is best served by the native trees that have been growing here for thousands of years.
The most prevalent tree species in Ontario that are monitored by forest resource inventories are highlighted in the list below. A brief description of the species, an interactive distribution map, and area and volume statistics for the managed forest zone are provided for each tree species.
Table of Contents
Most Common Trees in Ontario
- White pine – Pinus strobus
- Red pine – Pinus resinosa
- Jack pine – Pinus banksiana
- Black spruce – Picea mariana
- White spruce – Picea glauca
- Balsam fir – Abies balsamea
- White cedar – Thuja occidentalis
- Larch (tamarack) – Larix laricina
- Hemlock – Tsuga canadensis
- Poplar (aspen) – Populus spp.
- White birch – Betula papyrifera
- Sugar maple – Acer saccharum
- Red maple – Acer rubrum
- Oaks – Quercus spp.
- Yellow birch – Betula alleghaniensis
- Ash – Fraxinus spp.
1. White pine – Pinus strobus
The provincial tree of Ontario is the white pine, which grows widely throughout central and southern Ontario. It has delicate, long needles that are six to twelve cm long and grow in bunches of five. White pine features a light white, knotty wood that is typically used for trim, furniture, and lumber.
2. Red pine – Pinus resinosa
In the middle and southern parts of Ontario, as well as in the northwest, red pine is a typical tree. It has long, pointed needles (10 to 16 centimeters long), which grow in pairs and are dark green. Red pine has a strong pale red to reddish brown wood that has historically been used to manufacture poles and timber.
3. Jack pine – Pinus banksiana
All around Ontario, jack pine trees are ubiquitous, but they are more prevalent in the north on rocky or sandy terrain. It has short, pointed needles that develop in pairs and are two to four centimeters long.
Curved cones will eventually open as a result of a forest fire. Jack pine can be used to create pulp and paper, although it is more frequently utilized to make dimensional lumber.
4. Black spruce – Picea mariana
The most prevalent tree in Ontario is the black spruce, which is mainly found in the boreal forest. It can be a slow-growing, long-lived tree and is commonly found in damp or organic environments, despite being found in dry and sandy places.
It is common for black spruce to grow in vast, largely pristine stands. Due to its long fibers, black spruce wood is mostly used to make pulp and paper, although it is also used to make dimensional lumber and other solid wood products.
5. White spruce – Picea glauca
Although it can be found all over Ontario, white spruce is most prevalent in the boreal forest in dry to moist upland locations. It has two centimeter-long, blue-green to green, sharp, short needles. The cones are lightweight and tiny.
Spruce budworm prefers to prey on white spruce. The most typical application of white spruce is as dimensional timber, although it is also used to make pulp and paper and is a well-liked Christmas tree.
6. Balsam fir – Abies balsamea
In Ontario, balsam fir is a typical softwood species. It has blisters of sticky resin on the trunk and a tall, thin profile that tapers to a point at the tree’s summit.
Due to its tolerance for shade and shorter lifespan than spruce, it is frequently observed growing in bunches below other species. Historically, balsam fir has been utilized to make pulp, paper, and lumber goods.
7. White cedar – Thuja occidentalis
In Ontario, eastern white cedar is widespread. It is a slow-growing tree that can be found on rocky upland sites but prefers swampy environments. In the winter, white-tailed deer consume cedar branches.
A common ornamental tree for hedges is cedar. Cedar wood is rot-resistant and used for a variety of things, such as boats, fenceposts, lumber, and cedar shakes (shingles).
8. Larch (tamarack) – Larix laricina
Although it can be found all around Ontario, larch, sometimes known as tamarack, is more prevalent up north. The needles on this coniferous tree fall off in the fall after turning yellow.
Although larch can be found growing in various places, it loves swamps or moist organic soils and is frequently found growing with black spruce. Larch wood has been used for timber, pulp, poles, and snowshoes because it is strong yet flexible.
9. Hemlock – Tsuga canadensis
Hemlock is a long-lived tree that can be found in the deciduous and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest zones. It is extremely shade tolerant and frequently grows alongside maple and yellow birch. It is a great wildlife tree that offers protection from snow and is typically found on cool, wet soils close to water.
In the winter, white-tailed deer frequently graze beneath hemlock stands. Hemlock is frequently planted as an attractive tree and has been used for railway ties and timber.
10. Poplar (aspen) – Populus spp.
In Ontario, you can often find poplar or trembling aspen trees. Being an early successional species, it frequently establishes as the first tree on a freshly disturbed site. The large-toothed aspen and balsam poplar are both native to Ontario.
Poplar is a tree with a very light, soft wood that is frequently used to make pulp and paper as well as composite board goods. Poplars are well renowned for their rapid growth and tenacity.
They have a vast native range that covers the majority of North America, and they can grow anywhere from the shoreline to the highest tree line on mountains. While Largetooth Aspen (P. Grandidentata) is not particularly fragrant, Balsam Poplar (P. balsamifera) is well recognized for its fragrance sap.
The largest living thing on Earth is the quaking aspen (P. Tremuloides). From its shallow but widely spreading roots, it produces sprouts. Because of this, the Quaking Aspen may grow massive forests that appear to be made up of numerous trees but are simply one huge colony with the same genetic makeup.
11. White birch – Betula papyrifera
The white birch tree is a typical species in Ontario. The tree is occasionally referred to as “paper” birch because of its distinctive smooth, white bark that resembles that of paper.
White birch, frequently found in uniform stands, is a vital food source for many animals and birds, who eat the leaves, buds, and seeds. White birch is used for veneer, pulp for paper, and specialty items like hockey sticks in addition to being frequently used as firewood.
12. Sugar maple – Acer saccharum
The Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, and deciduous forest regions are home to many sugar maple trees. On the Canadian flag, a sugar maple leaf can be seen. Old Ontario woodlands are home to 6 different species of maple trees (really, 5 species and 1 hybrid).
It is renowned for providing the sap needed to make maple syrup as well. Sugar maple has a hard-white wood that is frequently used for furniture or flooring and is also well-liked as firewood.
13. Red maple – Acer rubrum
Less often than sugar maple, red or soft maple can be found in deciduous forest areas near the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. In comparison to sugar maple, it frequently grows on wetter grounds and is noted for its spectacular red autumn foliage.
Red maple is a tree that is frequently planted as an ornamental and serves as a significant wildlife food source. Some silver maple is included in summaries as part of this species.
14. Oaks – Quercus spp.
In central and southern Ontario, oak is a frequent species of hardwood. It is renowned for its unique leaves and broad crown. Red, white, and black oaks are native to Ontario, with red oak being the most prevalent.
For creatures like deer, turkeys, squirrels, and woodpeckers, the acorns of oak trees constitute a significant source of food. Oak is a highly prized wood with very hard reddish-brown wood that is frequently used for trim, flooring, or furniture.
15. Yellow birch – Betula alleghaniensis
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest is home to many yellow birches, which favor chilly, damp upland areas. The tree gets its name from its silvery grey to yellowish bark. Animals consume seeds and catkins. Yellow birch is frequently used for doors, plywood, cabinets, and furniture.
16. Ash – Fraxinus spp.
Ash trees, both black and white, are widespread in Ontario. In central and northern Ontario, moist locations are frequently connected to black ash. On drier sites, white ash is more prevalent towards the south. The emerald ash borer has had a significant impact on ash in Ontario during the past few years, particularly in the southwest.
Ashwood is frequently employed in the production of tools because of its durability and adaptability. Ash is used as pulp and makes good fuel. Ash contains a very hard and durable wood used for tool handles, baseball bats, and furniture.
Any ash can be utilized, however, the White Ash is thought to be the best due to its quick growth. Due to widespread infestations of the Emerald Ash Borer bugs, ash trees are in danger.
Conclusion
Having looked at the common forest as recorded by the Ontario Forest Resource Inventory, it is best to know that Ontario has a very diverse forest biodiversity that should be explored.
So, as you go planting trees in and around your community which I advise you to do so, just remember that you can add these beautiful and very beneficial trees. Let’s go on planting trees to restore Earth to her lost glory.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.