Notice of herbicide use on the Uhthoff Trail

Details of control measures

Township of Severn will be undertaking 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. Signage will be placed in the areas of the trail that have been treated. 

Date and time

This work has been scheduled for Monday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Impacts to trail users

The trail will remain open to all users. Please use caution when approaching any work area as the contractor and Township staff will be active along the trail 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. 

What Giant hogweed looks like

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

Additional resources

• Ministry of Natural Resources, Giant hogweed
• Invasive Species Centre, Giant hogweed profile
• Severn Sound Environmental Association

Contact us

Customer Care Team
Phone: 705-325-2315
Email our Customer Care Team