Tree Removal - High Park Forest
Management Demonstration Areas
(High Park)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (September 21, 1998) from the
Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
To seek approval to demonstrate site specific forest management strategies in 3 areas (3.75 ha) of High Park that could be
applied in the long term and on a larger scale as necessary to improve the quality and preserve the integrity of the
regionally rare oak forest and bottom land forests which characterize the park.
Source of Funds:
Funds have been secured through the 1998 capital budget for High Park improvements.
Recommendations:
(1)That City Council consent to the selective removal of vegetation from demonstration area B as documented in this
report, specifically 12 non-native trees that are not within 3 metres of the dripline of a healthy native tree, 81 non-native
and invasive trees and 580 shrubs.
(2)That City Council consent to Parks and Recreation proceeding with the vegetation management activities in
demonstration area A and C as documented in this report, in consultation with the High Park Citizens= Advisory
Committee, the High Park Technical Resource Group and the City Councillors for Ward 19.
Comments:
In February 1993, City Council recognized that High Park contains some of the most significant natural areas in the
regions of York and Metropolitan Toronto in terms of its vegetation communities and its rare flora and approved in
principle an approach to management of High Park=s natural environment aimed at restoring and enhancing the significant
oak woodlands and bottom land forests. City Council also requested that detailed plans and/or guidelines be prepared to
implement a restoration and management program for among other things, the rare black oak savannah and red oak
forests, and bottom land forests.
In May 1996, City Council authorized Parks and Recreation to proceed with the oak savannah research test plot program
and undertake initial testing of potential strategies for restoration and management of the oak savannah which are ongoing
and include such accomplishments as the recent prescribed burns and selective removal of non-native and invasive trees,
shrubs and ground covers. The objective for each test plot varies from the evaluation of fire management as a method of
stimulating regeneration of oaks and other savannah vegetation to the select removal of non-native and invasive
vegetation, and the reduction of soil and seed bank losses caused by sheet erosion and lack of ground cover vegetation.
Consistent with the 1993 direction of City Council regarding the restoration and management of the park=s natural areas
and in keeping with activities currently underway to restore and enhance the park=s wetland and stream habitats and the
remnant oak savannah, Parks and Recreation proposes to implement forest management demonstration activities in three
degraded forest areas of High Park as a means of restoring a healthy forest structure and habitat and improving the long
term viability and ecological functions of these areas. The implementation of forest management activities together with
proposed trail management will not only begin the restoration process, but will demonstrate how other degraded areas of
the park may be treated. During the fall and winter months of 1998, 93 trees and 580 shrubs which are non-native and
invasive will be cut and removed from demonstration area B which is located at the south end of the park between
Colborne Lodge Drive and Grenadier Pond. Select trees will be cut and their trunks left standing to provide habitat for
birds and other wildlife. Most of the cut wood and debris will be removed from the site. Some logs and branches will be
left to decay naturally on site at strategic locations. The area will be planted with appropriate trees, shrubs and ground
cover species in spring of 1999 as part of this project. It is proposed that similar activities be completed in demonstration
areas A and C in 1999. Implementation of these activities will continue to place the City of Toronto at the forefront in
urban forest management to encourage the ecological sustainability of valuable natural heritage sites.
A more detailed description of the forest management demonstration program is appended to this report.
The forest management demonstration project is complementary to the other initiatives which are currently ongoing such
as the oak savannah test plot program, Grenadier Pond and Spring Creek improvement projects, and woodland trail
improvement activities. All of these projects serve to demonstrate the City=s ongoing commitment to sustainable
management of the natural environment of High Park. Observations and results obtained through the forest management
demonstration exercise will complement the oak savannah research test plot program and be used to inform development
of detailed plans for long term restoration and management of the oak forests and mixed bottom land forests as
components of the oak woodland system.
This report has been prepared in consultation with Urban Planning and Development Services. The management strategy
for the three forest management demonstration areas as presented above have been endorsed by the Ward Councillors, the
High Park Technical Resource Group (includes such agencies as Toronto Region Conservation Authority, Federation of
Ontario Naturalists and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) and the High Park Citizens= Advisory Committee. As with
other projects in High Park, community volunteer participation will continue to be encouraged in all aspects of the
implementation of this project. The continued assistance of volunteers with the removal of vegetation, planting,
monitoring and other maintenance tasks as well as activities such as facilitation of public education and awareness will
contribute to the success of this project. I am recommending that Parks and Recreation proceed with the vegetation
management activities in demonstration area A and C as documented in this report, in consultation with the High Park
Citizens= Advisory Committee, the High Park Technical Resource Group and the City Councillors for Ward 19.
Contact Name:
Carol Walker Gayle, Urban Forestry Planner
5th Floor East Tower, City Hall
Telephone:416 392-1888
Facsimile:416 392-6657
E-mail:cwalkerg@city.toronto.on.ca
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