Removal of City-Owned Tree - 30 Hemlock Avenue

(East Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (September 2, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation.

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to consult further with the Ward Councillors and report back to the Toronto Community Council in the spring of 1999.

Purpose:

An application has been received from Councillor Jakobek for City Council to consider removal of a City owned Norway maple tree located at the above noted address. Councillor Jakobek reports that the tree attracts over 500 starlings during the summer months. The noise and mess from these birds are causing distress to the property owners of 28 and 30 Hemlock Avenue

Recommendation:.

That as a first option Forestry staff significantly thin the tree crown to try and preserve the tree while discouraging the starlings from roosting there leaving tree removal as a second option if pruning is not successful.

Comments:

The tree in question is a 102 cm diameter Norway maple which is in good condition and valued at $7,648.60.. Forestry staff inspected the tree on August 27, 1998 and found that the tree does not qualify for routine removal.

Forestry have been working with the property owners for several years and have tried sound repellents such as an air horn and recorded starling distress calls to deter the starlings from roosting in the tree. These efforts had limited success.

Removal of the City owned tree will probably not solve the problem because the starlings will roost in other trees around the property. Flocks of starlings often congregate in large numbers when trees form a dense crown. This particular tree does have a very dense crown. A possible solution is to prune the tree significantly to create a more open crown.

Contact Name:

Warren Quan

Email: wquan @ city.toronto.on.ca

Tel: 416-392-1940

Fax: 416-392-6657

The Toronto Community Council also submits a communication (July 24, 1998) from Councillor Jakobek:

I am writing to solicitor your support to remove a beautiful, healthy tree for a somewhat bazaar reason. The tree in question is located at 28-30 Hemlock Avenue. For some unknown reason, it attracts a group of over 500 starlings during the summer. The noise and the mess from these birds are something you cannot believe.

Our parks department has been great by pruning the tree, spraying the tree and installing speakers to keep the birds away. All of these efforts worked initially but not permanently.

I have, over the past seven or eight years, resisted acting on this matter in hope that the birds would perhaps go away or that another solution could be found.

Our staff believe there are only two answers: remove the tree of live with the birds. Both owners have said they cannot sell their homes nor continue living with the noise and smell. Although the tree is beautiful, virtually every neighbour on the street is in agreement. I ask you to please support the removal of the tree.