September 3, 1999

To:North York Community Council

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Tree Removal Request - 7 Norlington Drive, Ward 9 North York Centre South

 Purpose:

This report provides information regarding an appeal to the Community Council from the owner of the above address to permit the removal of a City owned 31 cm diameter Colorado Blue Spruce. The removal of the tree has been disallowed by City Forestry staff.

Source of Funds:

Staff and equipment to remove this tree and its stump is $475.00. The City would lose an asset worth $876.00. The total amenity value plus removal costs are $1,351.00.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this request to remove a City tree be refused.

Background:

A written removal request was received from Mrs. Esther Schwartz regarding the 31 cm diameter Spruce. The tree has minor symptoms of Cytospora Canker, a common disease affecting maturing Spruce trees. The tree is currently in fair condition and coping well.

There is also a privately owned Spruce tree adjacent to the City Spruce tree and a City owned Crimson King Norway Maple tree on the site.

Conclusion:

Healthy trees are valuable assets to the quality of life in a community, and all neighbourhood residents have a stake in their preservation. For this reason, the Department can not recommend their removal to accommodate the wishes of individual homeowners, except in situations where no reasonable alternatives can be found. We do not consider this situation to be such a case.

 If City Council permits this tree to be removed, such permission should be on the condition that the resident reimburse the City for its costs to remove the tree at $475.00 and for the tree value of $876.00. These funds will be used to purchase a large replacement tree on city property at this address or in the immediate neighbourhood.

Contact name:

Tony Fleischmann

395-6134

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism