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Notice of herbicide use

Details of control measures

Giant hogweed

Township of Severn has contracted Weed Man to undertake the application of herbicide to occurrences of Giant hogweed located along the Uhthoff Trail, primarily in the areas of Division Road and Carlyon Line, and Uhthoff Line and Foxmead Road.

Poison ivy

Herbicide will also be applied to Poison Ivy along the roadsides of Agnew Road and the walking trail at Ian Chrichton Memorial Park (2055 Birkeshire Woods Lane).

Signage will be placed in the areas that have been treated.

Date and time

This work has been scheduled for Friday, August 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Update to the scheduled work

Application of herbicide was completed on the Uhthoff Trail and Agnew Road on August 25. Due to time, the contractor was unable to complete the work scheduled at Ian Chrichton Memorial Park. This work will be rescheduled, and a notice with the revised date and time will be released. 

Impacts to homeowners, trail, and park users

Homeowners and those walking alongside Agnew Road, or those using the Ian Chrichton Memorial Park walking trail should avoid any areas treated with herbicide. Small children and pets should not be near these areas until signage is removed. The Uhthoff Trail will remain open to all users. Please use caution when approaching any work areas as the contractor and Township staff will be active with a full-size vehicle.

Information on Giant hogweed

Giant hogweed is an invasive plant that has been found in Severn. Invasive species are harmful non-native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are spread by trade, human and animal transport, and gardening. Most invasive species negatively impact how ecosystems function and can be harmful to native plants and wildlife. Giant hogweed can also be harmful to human health, as the sap from the plant can cause severe burns to the skin. Touching or removing hogweed can be dangerous because of this sap, and burning or composting is not a safe removal method.

How to identify Giant hogweed

Giant hogweed is an invasive plant that can grow up to six metres high.

It has:
  • dark green and coarsely toothed leaves
  • hollow, straight green stem which may have dark purple or red spots
  • large, umbrella-shaped head that can grow up to 60 centimetres in diameter
  • multiple small, white flowers on the head

Information on Poison ivy

Poison ivy is a creeping ground plant or climbing woody vine. Contact with any broken part of the plant may cause an itchy reaction that develops symptoms 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the plant. The seriousness of the reaction depends on the person's sensitivity and the amount of contact with the plant. Poison ivy can cause serious health issues if the plant is burned and the smoke is inhaled.

How to identify Poison ivy

The most common variety grows horizontally along the ground with upright leafy stalks and the other variety is a climbing vine.

You should look for:

  • a plant with three leaves, with the middle leaf growing on a much longer stalk
  • colour, as the leaves are a copper or reddish colour in spring, and then turn bright green in the summer
  • small white or greenish flowers with five petals that are usually under the leaves
  • flowers that turn into small, round greenish-yellow berry-like fruit

Additional resources

Staff contact

Ashley Vautour
Municipal Law Enforcement Officer
Phone: 705-325-2315 x240
Email Ashley