August 31, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation, City Hall
Office
Subject:Wychwood Park Pond and Forest Rehabilitation, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) -
Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove five trees on private property in order to carry out
pond restoration and forest rehabilitation work has been filed by Marc Gacomelli, 81
Wychwood Park, Toronto, M6G 2V5, Wychwood Park Trustee.
Recommendations:
Either 1 or 2 below.
1) Issue a permit for removal of the trees.
2) Refuse to issue a permit for tree removal.
Comments:
The trees in question are a thirty-one centimetre diameter black locust, two thirty-five
centimetre diameter silver maples, a thirty-seven centimetre diameter white ash and a
thirty-two centimetre diameter Norway maple. The report prepared by Gartner Lee Limited,
Environmental Consultants states that the removal of the above trees is necessary to
establish vegetation along the pond shoreline. The report states that as part of the pond and
forest management, selective removal of trees along the shoreline should be conducted to
reduce the shade canopy over the pond and permit the shoreline planting's to become
established. The report also states that the purpose of the forest management would be to
enhance the aesthetics of the woods, permit the establishment of a healthy groundcover and
young vegetation, and promote a sustainable ecosystem consisting of more native species
representative of the Carolinian forest that used to cover the area.
The arborist report prepared by Thomson, Bruce and Associates, Consulting Arborists and
Foresters, identifies several reasons for removal of the trees described above, these include
trees within the limits of pond excavation, trees located within a critical storm outfall zone
identified for restoration, trees identified as a major source of organic debris which is
undesirable for water quality and a mature Norway maple, an invasive exotic species that
prevents the establishment of more desirable species. The arborist report also states that
every effort will be made to preserve as many trees as possible. The proposed pond
restoration and forest management proposed by the Wychwood Park Trustees demonstrates
ecological awareness and in the opinion of Urban Forestry staff, the loss of the five trees
described above is necessary to achieve the long term benefits which will result from this
management plan.
A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required 14 day posting
period, in order to notify the neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the
application. Four written objections were received in response to the application to remove
the trees in question. Copies of these letters have been forwarded to the Community Council
Secretary for the Community Council to review.
Contact Name:Richard Ubbens
Telephone:(416) 392-1894
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca
(Original signed by RU for SR) TF
Susan Richardson
Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation,
City Hall Office
___AEP
bcc:Councillor John Adams, Suite 18, Toronto City Hall
Councillor Ila Bossons, Suite 214, Metro Hall
John Macintyre, 8th Floor, Metro Hall
(p:\1998\ug\cms\prk\to980078.prk)
