Wood you take two minutes to protect Canada’s trees?

This August, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) encourages Canadians to take part in Tree Check Month. This annual campaign reminds Canadians of the vital role they play in protecting local plants and trees and the importance of healthy trees to our environment, wellbeing and economy.

This Tree Check Month, take a closer look at the trees and plants around you. Whether you’re in your backyard, local park, cottage or workplace greenspace, a quick inspection can help protect Canada’s trees and forests

Early action is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of invasive pests. These harmful species often spread through everyday human activities: hitching rides on vehicles, pets, firewood and outdoor gear, allowing them to travel between regions undetected. Once established, however, they can become difficult and costly to remove. Governments and municipalities across Canada spend millions of dollars each year responding to pest outbreaks. Pests such as the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees; the Asian longhorned beetle, a wood-boring pest of maples and other hardwood trees; and the hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like insect that attacks and kills hemlock trees, have already caused significant damage to forests and urban trees across the country.

Here’s how you can help

• Watch our short video on how to do a two-minute tree check.
• Inspire a new generation of plant health heroes with our collection of children’s activities.
• Explore more of the CFIA’s online resources to learn what to look for, how to report suspected pests and what you can do to stop their spread.
• Inspect your vehicles, pets and gear before and after trips for insects, egg masses, seeds, snails, slugs, soil and plant debris to prevent the accidental spread of invasive pests.
• Don’t move firewood. Insects and eggs often hide under bark. Buy firewood locally and burn it where you purchase it to avoid the accidental spread of invasive pests.
• Report suspicious findings immediately to the CFIA. Early reports help inspectors respond quickly to protect your community.

Healthy plants contribute to clean air, water and soil. They support wildlife habitats and provide essential resources for the agriculture and forestry industries on which communities across Canada rely. In 2024, Canada’s forest sector employed nearly 200,000 individuals, while the agriculture and agri-food sector employed 2.3 million people—­providing one in nine jobs in Canada. Consequently, invasive pests pose a serious threat to Canada’s environment, economy and local communities.

Taking two minutes to inspect a tree today can help protect Canada’s tomorrow.