Removal of City-Owned Tree - 40 Bellefair Avenue
(East Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that the request for tree removal at 40
Bellefair Avenue be denied.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (September 2, 1998)
from the Director, Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation, City
Hall Office:
Purpose:
An application has been received from Councillor Jakobek on behalf of Ms. Susan Taylor,
40 Bellefair Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3T8, for City Council to consider removal of a
City owned Norway maple tree located at the above noted address. Ms. Taylor reports that
the tree roots are clogging her drains.
Recommendation:
That this request for tree removal be denied.
Comments:
The tree in question is a 32 cm diameter Norway maple which is in good condition and is
valued at $716.28. My staff inspected the tree on August 27, 1998 and found that the tree
does not qualify for routine removal.
With respect to drain problems experienced at this address, I advise that if drains leak, they
will attract tree roots to a much greater depth than the normal 60 cm and this may result in
clogged drains. The only solution to this problem is to replace old, deteriorating drains with
new drains which do not leak and attract roots. Partial replacement of drains usually only
works for a short time until roots are attracted to another segment of deteriorating drains.
Removal of the tree may not solve the problem of blocked pipes as water will still leak from
the drain and the opening could allow soil and roots from other trees or shrubs into the pipe.
Removal of City trees suspected of causing damage to drains is neither practical nor
advisable and would set an undesirable precedent for removing many City trees.
However, should Toronto Community Council approve tree removal, I recommend that the
owner pay all costs involved, this includes the tree value of $716.28, the removal costs of
$227.51, and the cost to plant a replacement, $475.01, for a total of $1,418.80.
Contact Name:
Warren Quan
Email: wquan @ city.toronto.on.ca
Tel: 416-392-1940
Fax: 416-392-6657
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The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, also having had
before it during consideration of the foregoing matter a communication (August 6, 1998)
from Councillor Jakobek forwarding a communication (July 28, 1998) from Mrs. Susan
Taylor, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.