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Ontario Tree Seed Plant Celebrates 90 Years of Growth

The Ontario Tree Seed Plant is celebrating 90 years of preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and supporting the forest products and wood manufacturing sectors.

The Ontario Tree Seed Plant is celebrating 90 years of preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and supporting the forest products and wood manufacturing sectors.

The facility uses innovative technology to extract, clean, test, and store billions of seeds each year that support the growth of trees in Ontario forests, woodlots, parks, schoolyards, and even your own back yard.

Through 90 years of experience, Ontario’s Tree Seed Plant is recognized as a world leader in tree seed collection. The facility supplies seed from 50 native trees to nursery operations, forestry companies and the public. By supporting tree planting, the facility helps Ontario adapt to the effects of climate change, restores endangered tree species and supports tens of thousands of jobs in the forest industry.

Planting trees and protecting the environment enhances the quality of life for Ontario families and ensures a dynamic, green economy for future generations. This is part of the government’s plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

Quick Facts

  • Located in Angus, the Ontario Tree Seed Plant’s seed bank stores billions of tree seeds – from the tiny seeds of the white pine to large butternut seeds, an endangered species.
  • The forest products and wood manufacturing sectors support more than 150,000 jobs in over 260 communities across the province.
  • Open cones, once a waste product, are now sold to potpourri and decorative markets.
  • Plant a tree to help fight climate change and send us a photo to hashtag #PlantNativeTrees.

David Orazietti

"The seeds cultivated at the Ontario Tree Seed Plant in Angus are a key component in the province’s plan for sustainable forest management. This important facility processes and stores seeds that will create tomorrow’s forests. Here today you can see the seeds of the endangered butternut tree, which our government is actively working to recover, or the white pine, which is used to build the homes we live in.”

David Orazietti

Minister of Natural Resources

"Seed management is the foundation of any successful forest restoration program. With the help of the Ontario Tree Seed Plant, high-quality, locally adapted seed is available to ensure planting projects thrive. This partnership has facilitated strategic seed collection and planning, and it ensures that nursery stock is produced from seed matched to appropriate sites and adapted to local climate.”

Rob Keen

CEO, Trees Ontario