The Toronto Community Council recommends that the request for removal of a City-owned tree at 360 Kingswood Road be denied.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (March 9, 1998) from the Director, Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation:

Purpose:

An application has been received from Mrs. Jennifer Wymer, 360 Kingswood Road, Toronto, M4E 3P1, for City Council to consider removal of a City owned Colorado blue spruce located at the above noted address. Mrs. Wymer reports that the tree is unsightly and a continual nuisance as sap and bird droppings are damaging the finish on their cars.

Recommendation:

The request for tree removal be denied.

Comments:

The tree in question is a 38 cm diameter Colorado blue spruce located on City street allowance. The tree stands in fair condition and is valued at $1,487.00. Forestry staff inspected this tree on October 28, 1997 and found that the tree is well pruned and the branches are clear from the house and mutual driveway.

It is common for certain trees such as spruce to excrete small amounts of sap and this is very difficult to remove from cars. Sap may cause discolouring of car paint. Perhaps a protective car cover could be used to reduce the contact with sap and bird droppings. Since the Colorado blue spruce is not structurally unsound, dead or dying, I recommend that the request for tree removal be denied.

However, should Toronto Community Council approve tree removal, I recommend that the applicant pay all costs involved; this includes the tree value of $1,478.00, the removal costs of $328.51, and the costs to plant a replacement, $475.62, for a total of $2,291.13.

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it the following communications, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk:

- (undated) from Mr. Durward Anthony and Ms. Helga Anthony; and

- (undated) from Mr. Robert Wymer and Ms. Jennifer Wymer.