Skip to Content

Port Hope Logo

Contact Us
  • Living Here
    • About Us
    • Animal Services
    • Building Services
    • By-Law Enforcement
    • Cemeteries
    • Civic Awards
    • Event Calendar
    • Fire, Police, and Paramedics
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Health Care
    • Library
    • News
    • Parking
    • Places of Worship
    • Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI)
    • Property Taxes
    • Report an Issue
    • Roads, Boulevards, and Sidewalks
    • Schools
    • Transit
    • Utilities
    • Water and Wastewater
    • Welcome to the Neighbourhood
  • Things To Do
    • Aquatics and Swimming
    • Arena and Skating
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Facilities and Rentals
    • History and Heritage
    • Leisure Guide
    • Library
    • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    • Recreation Programs
    • Seasonal Activities
    • Visit Port Hope
    • Waterfront and Beaches
    View our recreation programs page
    Recreation Programs
  • Business and Development
    • Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Available Lands
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Building Services
    • Business Licences and Permits
    • Business Park
    • Community Improvement Plan
    • Development Charges
    • Filming in Port Hope
    • Funding and Grants
    • Partners in Business
    • Planning and Development Services
    • Property Taxes
    • Start or Expand Your Business
  • Your Municipal Government
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Boards and Committees
    • Budget and Finances
    • By-Law Enforcement
    • By-Laws
    • Careers
    • Civic Awards
    • Code of Conduct
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Council
    • COVID-19
    • Freedom of Information
    • Mayor's Corner
    • News
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Vote
    • Wesleyville /OPG Lands Acquisition
I Want To
Close I want to modal close icon

I Want To...

Get in touch

Contact Us

Report an Issue

Apply and Register icon

Apply and Register

  • Building Permits
  • Burn Permits
  • Careers
  • Dog Licence
  • Marriage licence
  • Event Permit
  • Recreation Programs
Pay icon

Pay

  • Dog Licence
  • Facility Rental
  • Parking Ticket
  • Property Taxes
  • Water Bill
Get Involved icon

Get Involved

  • Council Meetings
  • My Port Hope
  • Speak Before Council
  • Volunteer

Weed Control

HomeThings To DoParks, Trails and Green SpacesWeed Control
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

close up of bright green leaves

The Municipality of Port Hope responds to concerns about noxious weeds as identified by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). These plants are of public health concern because touching them or their sap can result in painful skin rashes and burns. Noxious weeds found on municipal property are  reviewed based on risk and location assessments and manually or chemically controlled with registered and licensed products where required.

Under the Weed Control Act of Ontario, property owners are responsible for taking action to control noxious weeds on their property. If you decide to take measures to control these plants, regardless of the method used, wear protective clothing and goggles to cover exposed skin and protect your eyes.

The Weed Gallery provides photographs of each noxious weed for ease of identification.

Report an Issue

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is widespread throughout southern Ontario and is toxic to the skin. The offending substance of the plant is an oil which is present throughout root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit. Poison Ivy grows in deep woods or in the open; in dry, sandy areas, crevices of rocks, or swamps; along the borders of woods, fencerows, or roadsides. Each leaf consists of three leaflets. Leaves may be red, green, or slightly yellow. 

Poison Ivy is classified as a noxious weed under the Ontario Weed Control Act. This legislation provides a means for regulating control of certain weeds in problem areas. Cooperation and united effort are essential to controlling Poison Ivy, but responsibility falls to each person to recognize it, teach others to recognize it, and avoid contact with it.

Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant species that can grow to a height of 5 to 6-metres. It thrives in moist soils such as riverbanks and wetlands and disturbed areas such as uncultivated or waste areas, roadways, and agricultural fields. Giant Hogweed is dangerous when skin is exposed directly to the sap. The plants toxins can cause severe skin irritation when the skin is exposed to sunlight. The sap is found in the leaves, stalk, flower and roots of the plant, making it dangerous to handle. If you come into contact with giant hogweed, wash the affected areas immediately with soap and cool water, do not touch your eyes, eliminate exposure to sun and seek medical advice.

Poison Sumac

Poison sumac is distinguished by its appearance as a coarse shrub or small tree, its alternately arranged, pinnately compound leaves with 7-13 usually smooth-margined leaflets and its clusters of white flowers followed by whitish berries. The entire plant is as poisonous to most people as Poison-ivy. Because both the foliage in summer and the bare twigs in winter can cause severe dermatitis, take special care to avoid these parts touching hands or face when in damp woods.

Dog-strangling Vine

The Dog-strangling Vine is a plant that forms thick strands that overcome and crowd out natural plants and trees. It prefers open, sunny areas but can be found in natural and disturbed areas. It is also found in shaded forests. In recent years, this lookalike member of the milkweed family has spread quickly throughout central and southern Ontario.

The plant produces thousands of seeds per square metre. The seeds can easily be spread by the wind. This perennial vine has invaded ravines, hillsides, fence lines, stream banks, and roadsides. Damaging results from dog-strangling vine are that it can destroy vegetation, agricultural fields, and block access into trails. If nothing is done to prevent the spread of the vine, it will suffocate trees by climbing up and wrapping itself around the leaves. The vine threatens the monarch butterfly. The butterflies lay their eggs on the plant, but the larvae are unable to complete their life cycle and do not survive.

Options to control the vine are chemicals, mechanical, cultural, biological, and combined weed management. A natural control for the vine is the Hypena Moth which is currently being tested in Ontario.

  • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    Toggle Section for Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    • Book a Facility or Park
    • Commemorative Programs
      Toggle Section for Commemorative Programs
      • Avenue of Heroes Veteran Banner Program
      • Athletic Wall of Honour
      • Cenotaph Monogrammed Paver Stones Program
      • Commemorative Tree and Bench program
    • Fitness Loop
    • Parks and Playgrounds
    • Trails
    • Trees
    • Waterfront and Beaches
    • Weed Control
  • View Full Things To Do Menu
    • Aquatics and Swimming
      Toggle Section Aquatics and Swimming Menu
      • Aqua Fitness Classes
      • Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor Courses
      • Specialty Classes
      • Swimming Lessons
    • Arena and Skating
      Toggle Section Arena and Skating Menu
      • Caroline Street Rink
      • Rink and Ice Rentals
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Events
      Toggle Section Community Events Menu
      • Arts Festival
      • Canada Day
      • Candlelight Festival
      • Event Calendar
      • Ganny Weekend
      • Movies in the Park
      • Seasonal Activities
    • Event Calendar
    • Facilities and Rentals
      Toggle Section Facilities and Rentals Menu
      • Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Birthday Parties
      • Book a Facility or Park
      • Jack Burger Sports Complex
      • Parks and Facilities
      • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
      • Planning an Event
      • Port Hope Community Hub
      • Rink and Ice Rentals
      • Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for Seniors
      • Town Park Recreation Centre
    • History and Heritage
    • Leisure Guide
    • Library
    • Recreation Programs
      Toggle Section Recreation Programs Menu
      • Adult and Older Adult Programs
        Toggle Section Adult and Older Adult Programs Menu
        • Adult and Older Adult Drop-In Programs
        • Arts and Culture
        • Fitness Programs
        • Ruth Clarke Activity Centre Programs
      • Aquatics and Swimming
        Toggle Section Aquatics and Swimming Menu
        • Aqua Fitness Classes
        • Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor Courses
        • Specialty Classes
        • Swimming Lessons
      • Arena and Skating
        Toggle Section Arena and Skating Menu
        • Caroline Street Rink
        • Rink and Ice Rentals
      • Children's Programs
        Toggle Section Children's Programs Menu
        • Children and Youth Drop-In Programs
        • Day Camps
          Toggle Section Day Camps Menu
          • Holiday Camp
          • March Break Camp
          • PA Day Camp
          • Summer Day Camps
        • High Five Programming
        • Youth Programs and Activities
      • Youth
        Toggle Section Youth Menu
        • Children and Youth Drop-In Programs
        • Youth Programs and Activities
      • Register for a Program
        Toggle Section Register for a Program Menu
        • Gift Cards and Recreation Passes
        • Program Feedback
        • Recreation Fee Assistance
      • Fitness Programs
      • Recreation Calendar
      • Seasonal Activities
      • Training for Camp Leaders and Program Instructors
      • Drop-In Activities
        Toggle Section Drop-In Activities Menu
        • Adult and Older Adult Drop-In Programs
        • Children and Youth Drop-In Programs
    • Seasonal Activities
    • Visit Port Hope
    • Waterfront and Beaches
      Toggle Section Waterfront and Beaches Menu
      • Beaches
      • Boat Launch Marina and Fish Cleaning
      • Fishing

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

Port Hope Footer Logo

Located along the shores of Lake Ontario and the Northumberland Hills.

© 2023 Municipality of Port Hope

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Get to know us

  • Live
  • Work
  • Play

Helpful Links

  • A-Z Services
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Customer Service Feedback Form
  • Port Hope Tourism

Town Hall

56 Queen Street.
Port Hope ON L1A 3Z9

Phone 905-885-4544
Fax 905-885-7698

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Freedom of Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.