Natural Vegatation
The Mixedwood forests contain a mixture of deciduous and evergreen species. Little of the original woodland survives in this heavily urbanized and agricultural region. Deciduous species include beech and maple in mature forests; red and white oak, basswood and walnut in younger woodlands. All of these types of trees can last all year long. Conifers interspersed throughout the deciduous stands include white and red pine, and eastern hemlock. Southwestern Ontario is the northern limit of the Carolinian forest, where rich soil and a warm climate support a wide variety of colourful tree species, such as sassafrass, hackberry, and shagbark hickory, as well as sycamore and tulip trees. This mix of trees provide and excellent resource for lumbering businesses.