GUELPH, ONTARIO - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The climate of the part of Bruce County in the Lake Huron-Georgian Bay
region is slightly modified by the presence of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
The winter temperature is 23°F and spring temperature ranges from 38°F to
39°F. Summer temperatures are usually 64°F while fall temperatures average
between 47°F and 48°F. The frost-free period is approximately 147 days and
the growing season varies from about 186 days at Tobermory to 196 days at
Kincardine. The annual rainfall varies from about 31 inches in the north to
35 inches in the south and the annual snowfall varies from 80 to 110 inches.
The part of Bruce County in the Western Uplands region does not enjoy
the moderating influence of the Lake and has a lower winter temperature and
a slightly higher summer temperature than the Lake Huron-Georgian Bay
region. The mean annual temperature is 44°F and the summer temperature
is 65°F. The average length of frost-free period is from 130 to 140 days. The
growing season varies from 182 days to 195 days, being shortest in the northern
part of the County. The mean annual precipitation is approximately 36 inches,
over half of which falls during the period of May 1 to October 1. Snowfall
varies from 100 to 120 inches.
From the above data it would seem that the amount and distribution of
rainfall is satisfactory for general farm crops. There is little likelihood of
drought and the weather is.usually favorable during the harvesting season.
TABLE 7
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO CLIMATIC REGIONS
IN BRUCE COUNTY
LAKE HURON- WESTERN
GEORGIAN BAT UPLANDS
Mean Annual Precipitation ..,.,..._......._..... .,.. 31 to 35 inches 38 inches
Mean Annual Temperature. ..,. ...._..... 43” 43” to 44”
Length of Growing Season ............. .... _. 186 to 200 days 182 to 195 days
Frost T’rech Period . 147 days 130 to 140 days
Snowfall __...__.. ._.._ ._ .._ ........... _. .... 80 to 110 inches 100 to 120 inches
Natural Forest Vegetation
The type of natural vegetation found in any area is caused by the climate
and the soil producing environmental conditions suitable for plant growth.
Once the vegetation becomes established it exerts considerable influence on
soil formation.
In classifying and mapping soils, those features which can be observed in
the profile are used as criteria for making type separations. It is impossible to
determine to what extent such features have been influenced by vegetation
since it is only one of several soil forming factors. Neither is it the purpose of
the soil survey to make a vegetation survey nor present a plant ecology report
of an area. However, a study of the natural vegetation in an area is desirable
so that the soil profile may be more carefully interpreted.
Certain associations of trees occur more frequently on some soils than on
ot#hers. According to Halliday” Bruce County is included in the Huron-Ontario
section of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest, Region. In this section the
prevailing association is broad-leaved, with sugar maple and beech dominant.
With them are basswood, white elm, yellow birch, white ash and some red
maple. Small groups of hemlock, balsam fir and the occasional white pine
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*Hallidav .- \I’ . II:. II.. :I Foist Classification of Canada, Forest Service Bulletin No. 89.
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